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When two-year-old Penelope “Penny” Pratz, of Wilmington, DE, started receiving Easterseals Children’s Therapy services, she was unable to stand on her own or walk. Her parents, Alexandra and Scott, were worried she may never walk, but they put their trust in Easterseals, and that made all the difference.

Brian Perry, of Frederica, DE, is a world traveler, recently returning from Germany where he competed in the Special Olympics World Games as a swimming champion representing the United States. Meanwhile at home, his team at the café at Delaware State University, where he has worked for the last ten years through Easterseals’ Supported Employment program, was cheering him on.

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.

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.

Easterseals is meeting the needs of their community through their life-changing Children’s Therapies, including Applied Behavior Analysis therapy (ABA). Before ABA, five-year-old Efe Ozer, of Wilmington, DE, was unable to communicate his needs and rightfully so, became frustrated. His mom, Sel Ozer, was so grateful to find Easterseals services to give their family the tools they needed to help Efe.

A diagnosis does not define who you are or what you can be. Kirstin and Matt learned this when their son, Bryson, was born with TAR syndrome, a genetic condition so rare that even the doctors did not know what to expect.

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