Bright Futures For Parents At Easterseals
By Natalie Scott
Blessings come in small packages. For Latoya and her husband, Jean, their blessing came in the size of their first baby boy who was born with Down syndrome. While the news was, at first, shocking and a bit scary, Latoya realized the gift Isaiah was to her entire family. After Isaiah was born and had heart surgery for a defect, Latoya went right to work getting him the services he needed to succeed. She found the tools for success at Easterseals.
“At first, I felt guilty, like I did something wrong. On the flipside, it felt like a challenge I could overcome. Now, I wouldn’t have him any other way. He’s a ball of fun,” Latoya says. “Easterseals has become a part of my family. Without Easterseals I would be walking blindly. With them, I have a new set of eyes to help Isaiah excel.”
A trusted provider of children’s therapy services for more than 70 years, Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore specializes in treating children ages birth through eighteen years with a variety of challenges. Easterseals specializes in meeting the needs of children and their families through creative, playful activities that go beyond traditional services.
While Isaiah is learning to speak through sign language in speech therapy, hold his head up and roll over in physical therapy, and grasp objects in occupational therapy, Latoya is also learning how she can help Isaiah better at home after the therapists leave. This includes walking on a small treadmill designed to help him work towards his first independent steps.
“I would tell another parent, don’t be afraid. There is help out there; be willing to receive it. Enjoy the ride,” Latoya says. “Easterseals services are not recognized enough. People underestimate the services they provide. It took me having Isaiah to recognize the importance of early intervention. Isaiah’s therapists are not just there for him, they are there for me too.”
Hundreds of children per year receive physical, speech and occupational therapy at the Easterseals Children’s Therapy Center in Dover. Easterseals plays a critical role in providing needed therapy for children with a variety of disabilities, short or long term. Children with and without disabilities will find the highest quality services designed to meet their individual needs. For more information about Easterseals Children’s Therapy services call 302-678-3353.
Easterseals Kent County center is located at 100 Enterprise Place, Suite 1, Dover, DE 19904
Easterseals in New Castle County is located at 61 Corporate Circle, New Castle, DE 19720
Please visit our website and see all of our services for people of all ages and abilities: www.de.easterseals.com
