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National Direct Support Professional Week officially is observed September 9-15, 2018, but at Easterseals we appreciate and recognize the contributions of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) every day.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When Tina had a heart attack it rocked the whole family. Her daughter, Ashley became her full-time caregiver when they discovered Tina had a brain injury after 13 minutes without oxygen. Thankfully, Ashley is not traveling this journey alone, she has Easterseals services by her side.

Allowing children with disabilities to maintain independence