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If you are visiting aging loved ones this holiday season, it may be the perfect time to evaluate their ever-changing care needs.

Mark is a loving, funny, happy person and happens to have autism. However, some of the behaviors associated with his autism, like repetition and a regimented schedule, can be exhausting and stressful for his parents, Tom and Sally. Luckily, for at least one week of the year, they get a break from caregiving and enjoy a full night’s sleep thanks to Easterseals Camp Fairlee.

It is a typical scene happening in many homes across the country, a family sharing a meal at the table. However, for the Shrieves family, this night is anything but typical. For the first time since two-year-old Cheyanne was born, the family is all eating the same meal. Easterseals speech therapy services helped this magical moment come true.

Bill Sudell may be the ‘official’ volunteer when he signs in for duty at the Easterseals in New Castle but it’s his dog, Skipper, who is the star of the show. For the last six years Bill Sudell and Skipper, an eight-year-old Schnoodle, have brightened the days of the people who attend Easterseals day services.

When Emily Hurst, of Hockessin, first walked through the doors of Easterseals she was very nervous, but little did she know how much she would grow to love the environment, the staff, new friends and, of course, the dance parties. As those nerves faded, Emily’s mom, Julia, has watched her grow into a more independent woman thanks to the skills she is learning at Easterseals.

Tina was reluctant to leave her youngest son, Kyle, for the first time at Easterseals Camp Fairlee. Thanks to some gentle nudging from her daughter-in-law, she was finally persuaded to give it a chance. All that worry went away as soon as she opened the car door and saw Kyle’s smiling face.

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore recently received a $25,000 grant from Discover Bank to support its Supported Employment program – a program that opens the door to meaningful work and competitive wages in the community for adults with intellectual disabilities, while providing employers with dedicated, productive employees. Each year, Easterseals partners with over 60 businesses around Delaware to recruit and train individuals with disabilities for their workplace.

Recently, Senior Pen Pals and More teamed up with Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore to help combat the feeling of loneliness felt by their participants who are not able to attend the adult day programs due to COVID-19. The group brought joy to over 240 participants by writing encouraging letters which were mailed to participants’ homes. The group plans to continue to send letters to additional Easterseals participants.

Like any parent, Jeanne Eskridge, of Townsend, wanted it all for her son, Brian. After graduating from high school and completing a job-training program, Jeanne sought a future for him that would be engaging and challenge him to reach his potential. Easterseals day services for adults with intellectual disabilities coupled with a part-time job has been the solution to meeting his needs and hers.

Caregiving responsibilities can be overwhelming at times but when a caregiver has someone sharing that weight, it does not feel as heavy. Easterseals is proud to come alongside caregivers, like Erika Carlson, who supports her husband, Chuck, with dementia.

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore recently received the “Cultural Access Award” from Art-Reach of Philadelphia for their Artfulness program. The program brings art to the seniors and people with disabilities who attend Easterseals adult day programs. Throughout the pandemic shutdown, the Artfulness program continued their work virtually and were able to engage a wider audience in all of Easterseals day programs in the state.

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore has announced the sixth annual “Bill Adami Fund for Innovation” award will be used to fund two projects initiated by Easterseals staff to improve accessibility within the organization. The Bill Adami Fund for Innovation was created in memory of Easterseals late President/CEO, William J. Adami, who passed away in 2013.