Walk With Danny

Danny O’Connor’s relationship with Easter Seals began when he attended our Camp Oakes after a traumatic car accident left him severely disabled.  At Easter Seals Danny began to thrive.  He then became a regular volunteer and for the last five years has worked as a personal assistant in Easter Seals’ Riverside office.  Danny’s work at Easter Seals keeps him close to the people he cares about and wants to help.  Danny continues to speak publicly about the positive impact Easter Seals has had on his life.  He feels that he is the “perfect person to help people who can’t help themselves” because he understands because he’s been there.  Besides, according to Danny, “It’s all I want to do!”

 

 

Walk With William

William Rayber lives with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.  He grew frustrated after living in a group setting for seven years, so he contacted Easter Seals.  William qualified to purchase his own home and he has been able to live on his own more than four years with the help of Easter Seals Supported Living Service.  “After living on my own I am so happy! It is like prison to be told what to do and where to go.  I feel independent because I get to make my own rules.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walk With Jennifer

Jennifer Bleidistel’s disability was supposed to limit her.  Instead, it has helped her inspire children with similar special needs.  With the help of Easter Seals Supported Employment Service Jennifer has been working with special needs children in a preschool program for more than 7 years.  Some have cerebral palsy, others have Down syndrome.  It’s something that Jennifer is intimately familiar with.  Jennifer has Down syndrome too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walk With Starr

Starr Hart was born with cerebral palsy and the doctors said she would have no physical mobility and would consist of moving from a wheelchair to a bed.  Yet, with the help of her grandmother’s love, her own strong will and the help of Easter Seals, Starr says she is living her life to the fullest doing what she loves.  Starr came to Easter Seals South Bay Employment Services after she earned an Associates degree in child development.  Her Easter Seals coach helped find Starr a full-time teaching job in 2006.  Two years later Starr remembers, “I was so excited when I got the job since I had been politely turned down several times before because of my disability.  I am living my passion!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walk With Kim

Kimi Madsen attends Adult Day Services where she thrives working one-on-one with her support person Carmen.  Kimi has also been an Ambassador for Easter Seals for 15 years.  She has met executives, movie stars, newscasters and more. According to her mother Patty, “Kimi has touched them all in a profound way.”  Kimi was born at 4 pounds, 3 ounces with severely clubbed feet. She has endured multiple surgeries. Patty says, “Kimi is nonverbal, but boy she can talk!  Just look in her eyes, her expressions, her sounds through it all she has smiled and touched people everywhere.”

 

 

 

 

 

Walk With Brandon

Born with a mild cognitive disability, Brandon spent many years living in an abusive home situation with his family.  With the help of Easter Seals, he moved out of his family’s house and into a group-home where he lives in a healthy and engaging environment. Brandon says Easter Seals taught him to cook for himself and do his own laundry and he quickly learned how to access the public transportation system, which he never used before. Brandon speaks on behalf of Easter Seals, sharing his experience of how Easter Seals helped him change his life for the better.  Brandon has gone from depending upon his family, to depending on himself as a volunteer and participant in his community.

 

 

 

 

 

Walk With Veronica and Liliana

Volunteer work is important to Veronica Espinoza (left).  It’s her goal to continue to gain skills through doing for others.  Born with a mild cognitive disability Veronica joined Easter Seals Adult Day Services in National City and it’s been full-steam ahead ever since.  Over the years Veronica has regularly volunteered at her community library and local Red Cross.  Now Veronica is learning to read and use a computer to add to her vocational skills that will eventually help her get a paid job. Veronica says, “I am thankful for Easter Seals.  I have learned how to communicate with people.”

With help from Easter Seals Liliana Mallet (right) has become a dedicated advocate for her rights and the rights of others.  Easter Seals gives Liliana the opportunity to participate in Self-Advocacy groups which allow her to gain an increased knowledge of her rights as an individual.  Living with a mild cognitive disability and cerebral palsy brought Liliana to the Adult Day Services, where she strives daily to find new opportunities in the community for herself and her peers.  Liliana says, “The best thing about Easter Seals is the people.  They really understand people with disabilities.  They have patience to work with me and the many needs I have.”

 

 

 

 

Walk With Julian

Julian was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and began receiving after-school services from Easter Seals three years ago.  Julian attends a special second grade day class at a typical elementary school.  According to his mom, Tere, “Before receiving services at Easter Seals my son played a lot by himself, but now wants to participate in the group.  He’s very active in his program and developing relationship skills.  Our whole family thanks Easter Seals for helping to make our hopes for Julian a reality.”

 

 

 

Walk With Leah

Leah Bocian-Collinwood was born with Spastic Quad Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair.  She has spent her life conquering many adversities, including lack of acceptance of her disability by her peers.  Leah has been attending Easter Seals week-long summer camp in the San Bernardino Mountains for the past 17 years, and she calls it the best decision of her life.  “At camp, no one is judged or ridiculed and every camper is able to participate.  Camp is the closest place to heaven on earth!” As a seasoned camper Leah is now able to help newcomers realize their potential.  Leah works full-time and plans to finish her Master’s degree and become a motivational speaker

 

 

 

 

 

Walk With Joshua

Joshua Escobar lives with autism and came to Easter Seals looking for help finding a job.  He was very specific about the job he wanted.  His goal was to work at the Albertson's within walking distance of his house.  With the help of his Supported Employment coach, three weeks later Joshua was offered the job of courtesy clerk.  According to Job Coach Scotti Jo Seuthe, “It has been fascinating watching Joshua meet the challenge of mastering new skills to gain work experience.  He has memorized not only the names, but also the job titles of almost everyone in the store!”

 

 

 

Walk With Robert

Robert Hull learned about Easter Seals Employment Services at a high school job fair.  He was open to many job opportunities.  What was most important to him was making money to spend on his family‘s vacation to the Philippines.  So Robert went to work at the local post office sorting and delivering mail to private P.O. boxes during the busy holiday season. Now, Robert loves to cook and is working with his coach on a culinary arts career, with aspirations of finding work at a local restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

Walk With Roy

Adult Day Services participant Roy Fye is unable to read after being born with a cognitive disability.  He incurred further brain damage after a two-story fall when he was just 22 years old.  Roy spends much of his free time communicating his inner vision on canvas. Roy brings in his art work to share with associates and friends.

 

 

 

 

 Walk With Christina and Toniseni

Christina was a newly single mom with three children when she came to Easter Seals Child Development Center (CDC) needing childcare so that she could work to help support her family.  She says she is very thankful for the CDC.  “I feel lucky. I know the importance of enrolling my son, Toniseni, in Head Start.  The wonderful people at the CDC also provided resources to me with ideas of where to apply for a job.”

 

 

 

 

 

Walk With Carlos

Living with a cognitive disability, controlled seizures and moderate cerebral palsy made it hard for Carlos Villasenor to find work.  In 2005, with help from Easter Seals Supported Employment Service, he was hired at a Home Depot as a part-time sales associate in the garden department.   One year later Carlos was transferred to another Home Depot, with a promotion to full-time work status, including full benefits.  In just four months Carlos received an award for Great Customer Service in his district.  At the ceremony the District Manager and Store Manager presented Carlos with a bonus, telling him that he is a valued employee and they enjoy having him work at their store.

 

 

 

Walk With Helen

Born with a mild cognitive disability Helen Gordon began Adult Day Services in 2004 after living in a family situation where she cooked, cleaned and paid bills with almost no support.  Helen wanted help to learn what she needed to do to live on her own and become independent.  With help from Easter Seals Helen will soon begin a volunteer job to increase her office skills before she moves into full-time work through Supported Employment Services.  Easter Seals also supported Helen’s transition into her new role as wife, after she met and married her husband this year.  According to Helen, “The people at Easter Seals are like my family.  They have stood by me and helped me grow.”

 

 

 

 

Walk With Alina

Alina was diagnosed with autism in 2002, when she was just four years old.  Her family was concerned because she could not enunciate clearly, crawled with only one leg, engaged in severe tantrums and had unpredictable behavior at school.  Shortly after the diagnosis Alina’s family was referred to Easter Seals, who provided an aide to work with her at school to help her interaction with other kids and teachers.  Easter Seals also worked with the family at home. Alina is mastering computer games and has an amazing want for social interaction with other kids typical or challenged.  With plans to begin junior high this year at a new school, Alina continues to demonstrate progress and improvement and her family gives much of the credit to Easter Seals.

 

 

 

 

 

Walk With Joe

 

Joe Gannon wasn’t diagnosed with autism until he was 27 years old.  He spent many years living with speech impairment, auditory discrimination, and although he could read, he couldn’t understand the meaning of words.  In the second grade, he couldn’t handle the structure and confusion.  According to his mother, “Autism wasn’t part of the English language when Joseph was growing up.” Finally decades later a family friend who works with autistic students suggested Joe has autism, and she was right.  The family was immediately referred to Easter Seals.  Joe now works several days a week at a small department store and Easter Seals Employment Services provides a job coach.  The rest of the week Joe works with his coach on starting his own computer business.