Evie Is Unstoppable With Easterseals

The room is quiet as a two-and-a-half-year-old girl waits patiently for her favorite song to come through the speaker, but when it does, the silence is broken by laughter, jumping, clapping, and Evelyn “Evie” Scott, of Newark, ready to shake her sillies out. Her parents, Natalie and Nicholas, know that without the help of Easterseals Children’s Therapy program, these joy-filled moments may never be possible.

“It is hard to understand when your child develops typically how big the small milestones are for a child who struggles,” Natalie says. “It took Evie so long to learn how to clap, but when she did, it was a big deal and Easterseals therapists were right there celebrating with us. Unlike our friends, the therapists understood this was the first step to bigger things.” 

When Evie started receiving Occupational Therapy, she was not able to sit up unsupported, reach, bring her hands together, or hold anything. Easterseals therapists helped her learn to play, hold toys, clap, hold her spoon correctly so she can effectively feed herself, color, and safely use scissors.

“With the help of Easterseals dedicated therapists, I have watched Evie blossom into this amazing little girl I never thought she could be. I was always included in her therapy plan and that is important to me,” Natalie says. “Easterseals therapists wrapped themselves around my family, caring about each of the members and their role in Evie’s life. They shared the highs and lows and helped me help her.” 

April is National Occupational Therapy Month, a time to celebrate the important roles that Occupational Therapists play in the lives of people of all ages. Like all Easterseals services, Children’s Therapy is comprehensive and individualized to meet each child’s needs, family-focused to meet each family member's concerns, and has the goal of enhanced independence.

“Easterseals is the expert in therapies, but they respected that I am the expert in Evie,” Natalie says. “Honestly, I don’t know where Evie would be without Easterseals therapies. I was so worried about her going to preschool. I never thought she’d be prepared enough. I feel more confident as she transitions to school thanks to all the skills she has learned with the help of Easterseals.”

Along with Occupational Therapy, Evie benefited from Speech, Feeding and Physical therapies with Easterseals. She learned to say her first words “Mama” and “dog”, be receptive to eating different textures and took her first steps and learned to jump thanks to the support of the Easterseals team.

“When Evie leaves the safety of her Easterseals family, it will be a mixture of feelings,” Natalie says. “I will miss the therapists and their incredible support, but I know that because of them, she is exactly where she needs to be, more independent and prepared for the next big thing, preschool. Their impact on her life, and mine, is immeasurable. I can never thank them enough.”