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In an instant, Mike and Virginia Minor’s lives changed forever. One minute they were enjoying time with family and, in what felt like the next minute, Virginia was in the hospital. She had experienced a stroke and then cardiac arrest. Gone was their old lifestyle. Mike was suddenly thrust into the role of caregiving, which can be very overwhelming and lonely. Thankfully, he found a group of people walking the same path with an Easterseals Caregiver Support group.

Three-year-old twins Elijah and Lorenzo Erli, of Dover, DE, are thrilled when their school bus comes around the corner. It is time to go to school and they get to travel in one of their favorite vehicles. Double bonus! It was not that long ago that the twins’ parents, Angie and David, were concerned about their progress and worried about them going to school. Once the twins began Easterseals Children’s Therapy services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) the worries melted away.

Most parents would agree that toddlers can be picky eaters. However, there is a difference between a selective eater and an outright aversion to eating. That was the case for two-year-old Isiro and his parents Xyare and Jordin Patrick. If it did not pass Isiro’s “smell, feel, and look” test, he would not even try it. This was a job for Easterseals Children’s Therapy Services.

Jack Witzman knew something was not right when he and his wife, Jackie, were driving home from the store one day and, suddenly, Jackie did not know where she was going. Jackie was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, confirming his suspicion.

Doctors may have painted a bleak picture for little Demi Rodgers, who was born without an esophagus, the part of the body that connects the throat to the stomach, and Spina Bifida. However, the team of therapists at Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore is working side-by-side with her family, offering support and encouragement to help Demi meet her milestones.

Below is a list of common questions we hear at Easterseals, and their answers.

Eleven years ago, K'June and Brian Evans' daughter, ArielI Green, had an asthma attack and was without oxygen for 25 minutes. They were afraid, but K'June knew ArielI would come through. And she did! The incident permanently changed their lives, however, and they transitioned from being just her parents to Ariell's full-time caregivers.

When Gabriela “Gg” started attending Camp Fairlee she was afraid of heights and unsure of herself. As she stepped off the edge of the zipline climbing tower her heart was pounding, but as she flew through the air, all of her worries disappeared.

Easterseals Camp Fairlee, which kicks off in a few weeks, is a place where children and adults, like Jake can grow as individuals, make lifelong connections, and find independence. Jake is able to soar on a zip line, sing his heart out in “Fairlee’s Got Talent” and savor new foods in a safe and nurturing environment. Meanwhile, his parents, Jen and Frank, get the break they need.

Video Resources for Families and Caregivers

People with disabilities, like Jamie, are among the hardest working employees in the workforce. Yet, often, they are overlooked. Thankfully, with the help of Easterseals Supported Employment program, Jamie, is employed in a job he loves.

Brian brings determination to his job where he works five days a week as a member of a supportive team in the Village Café. During the summer, when Brian is not working at the cafe, he enjoys his days at Easterseals Adult Day program where he is able to connect with other friends and volunteer in the community at places like the Modern Maturity Center.