Walk with Joshua

Joshua is a handsome five-year-old with a dazzling smile. Seeing that smile you would never know what a rough start he had. Joshua has a chromosomal abnormality, which has also caused cerebral palsy. By the time he was two, he had survived cancer and suffered from asthma. With most of his health issues under control, Joshua began attending Easter Seals Approved Private School in Philadelphia. His mother, Barbara, says he has made incredible progress. He is more social, is learning to communicate through pictures, can feed himself with a spoon, pull himself to a standing position and is mastering the gate trainer. Perfect for a boy that loves to explore the world around him! Joshua loves Elmo, cheese curls, being in the water and musical instruments. Most importantly, he loves to laugh, which gives everyone a reason to smile!

Walk with Bobby

Bobby is a six-year-old boy who truly seems happy all the time! His teacher, at the Easter Seals center in Montgomery County, says he has never had a bad day. He refuses to let developmental delays hold him back! By the age of two, he was receiving Easter Seals home based services and, at three, transitioned to center based services. His parents Lynn and Bob say that sending Bobby to Easter Seals was "the best thing we ever did!" He has made incredible progress. He is walking with a walker, taking a few steps on his own and his increased his social skills. With the committed staff at Easter Seals, the love of his family, which includes two older brothers, two older sisters, six dogs and two fish, Bobby is thriving!

Walk with Addison

Addison is two-years-old and has quite a handle on her language skills; able to speak in full sentences. At the moment though, one of her favorite words is "no". Addison has spina bifida and within the first three months of her life, she underwent three surgeries. Soon after her third surgery, she began receiving home-based physical therapy through Easter Seals. Addison’s parents, Jennifer and Robert, are thrilled with the progress made with the help of their therapist, Eileen. Addison is now using a walker, is learning to use crutches and can pull herself to a standing position! All this mobility makes playing with her big sister Tyla even more fun! She will sit still for her favorite food, macaroni and cheese. In addition to the support from her family and Easter Seals, Addison’s unending charm and wit make anything seem possible.

Walk with Louis

Louis is a boy who knows what he likes! For this five-year-old, it would seem his passion is for pasta; earning him the name, "the pasta king". Louis has autism, which can make communication difficult, but Louis is learning! His parents, Dina and Steven, chose Easter Seals Approved Private School in Delaware County because they felt the program could most meet his needs. Since he began attending Easter Seals, Louis has become more verbal and is learning to use the PECs system to communicate. He is better at following instructions and is much more engaged. Being engaged has led to some pretty exciting stuff like going surfing with 166 other children with autism in Virginia Beach. Louis loves to play soccer, go bowling and go to the beach, especially in the fall. With a very supportive extended family, in addition to his parents and the staff at Easter Seals, great things are in store for Louis.

Walk with Sara

Sara LOVES to dance, which is perfectly paired with her passion for music. When she was three, she was diagnosed with Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome, a fourth chromosome deletion that results in severe mental retardation. Sara’s parents, Dottie and Richard, were encouraged to expand her social circles. At age 20 Sara has become quite the social butterfly, participating in the Special Olympics and various sports. Two years ago, Dottie stumbled across Easter Seals while looking for a job and delighted in the recreation opportunities available for Sara. Since then, Dottie has been working as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in Delaware County and Sara has been taking full advantage of the recreation programs, including Teen Club, Respite Weekends, Day Camp and Teen Overnight Camp. The staff has fallen in love with Sara and find her passion for dancing and music infectious. Her parents call Easter Seals recreation programs their “little jewel”.