Walk with Mackenzie

Curious and friendly, Mackenzie is a happy little girl. She is very active and needs constant supervision. But the similarities between Mackenzie and most children her age end there.

Mackenzie is working to overcome a variety of developmental delays caused by her early birth. Born 16 weeks early, 11 ? inches long and weighing only 1 lb 7 oz., she spent almost five months in Intensive Care. Now 2 ?, she is just learning to walk. She takes her nourishment through a feeding tube and is very sensitive to touch and taste.

"She’s developing really fast now," say her parents. "In the summer, we were told she probably wouldn’t walk before age 3. But thanks to Easter Seals she’s really started cruising."

Walk with Zachary

Zachary is a ten-year-old diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Autism. He is the complete opposite of his outgoing twin sister. Zach is laid back, sensitive and likes to be alone. He’s a computer wiz and enjoys multiple programs functioning - the more stuff going on the better he likes it.

Transition brings on anxiety which Zach expresses by screaming. Even at Easter Seals, where he loves his weekly therapy visits, just going from one activity to the next brings it on.

"Coming to Easter Seals is like bringing one of my (four) children to an activity like cheerleading or baseball," says mom. "All of my kids love it here. I can always say good things about Easter Seals because they treat all of us like family."

Walk with Seth

Seth was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at a young age - in large part because his parents knew the signs. Their older son also is diagnosed with autism. Seth progressed typically until he was about 15 months. "He started to loose words, not gain them," says his mother.

Therapy through Easter Seals has helped Seth find some of those words he lost and start to expand his vocabulary. Therapists work with Seth to improve his socialization skills with techniques that include taking the boys to the park and local stores to enable them to adapt to community settings.

"We didn’t have the ability just to be a family and do family things," says mom. "Easter Seals has given us the tools to feel more normal."

Walk with Cheyenne

To look at this little darling you would not know how complicated her life has been in her 18-months. She was born at 35 weeks gestation with the medical condition, Omphalocele-Exstrophy-Imperforate anus-Spinal defects (OEIS). In addition to the OEIS, Cheyenne has also been diagnosed with anemia, a heart murmur, severe reflux and failure to thrive.

She sees numerous medical specialists, has had multiple surgeries but has managed to be cooperative in her daily routine. Mom tells us that Cheyenne is particular about showing affection. As it turns out she adores her Easter Seals therapist with whom she shares a special bond.

We are happy to share that Cheyenne has gained 6-pounds since her latest surgery and has become more medically stable.