EASTER SEALS NEWSVOLUME 19, Spring 2019

LEAVE A LEGACY OF INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM

You can bring meaningful change to kids with physical disabilities for generations to come by remembering

Easter Seals Ontario in your Will. For more information, please contact:

Jericho Rodriguez has never known life without his artificial limbs.

Following an eight-hour double amputation surgery on his legs when he was just 14 months old, Jericho was fitted for his first prosthesis.

“The first time he stood up, he cried, and I cried too,” said Jericho’s mother, Joy, describing the very moment, a month after his surgery, she saw her son stand.

Jericho was born without the tibia bones in his legs, a rare condition known as fibular hemimelia. “When he was born, I asked my husband how he was and my husband replied, ‘He is beautiful – I am just worried he’s not going to be able to walk,’” Joy said. “It was heartbreaking.”

Despite Jericho’s infectious exuberance, like any parent of a child with a physical disability, Joy was concerned about his future. “We didn’t know how it

was going to be for him growing up. Why did this happen? What did we do wrong? Our other two kids were fi ne,” Joy said recalling the births of her two older children, Josh and Janelle. “We were very

emotional. I knew there was going to be hundreds of doctor’s appointments, but we had to make

do with what we had.”

So they did. Today, Jericho is a smiling, 10-year-old innovative jokester with an imagination beyond any of his physical limitations. He enjoys running marathons with Team Triumph Canada and swimming. When kids ask about his legs, Jericho replies, “Oh, I got bitten by a crocodile.”

Currently, Jericho has three different prosthetic legs “…and that’s just for him to live like a normal, active boy,” said Joy. Coupled with the need to use the stairs to access his bedroom, walk through his front door and even shower, Jericho needed more than just his prosthetics to get by.

“I tried seeking funding and would never be approved,” said Joy who was at the end of her rope finding options for equipment to support Jericho. “Easter Seals has been a great, great help. We are very appreciative for their generosity and without their help, where would kids with physical disabilities be?”

“I don’t think people know how much money goes into mobility equipment, especially for kids because they grow fast,” said Joy. “From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank Easter Seals for their generosity and donations that go a long way to helping kids, like my son, in their daily lives.”

Growing Up Prosthetic

Jennifer Babbs at 416.421.8377 ext. 309

or 1.800.668.6252 ext. 309, or e-mail jbabbs@easterseals.org.

Meredith delivered Katie at 37 weeks with no complications. For the first few months, Katie was a healthy baby. However, at four months old, she began having seizures and was soon diagnosed with epilepsy. Several months later, she was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, a progressive and incurable condition, and global developmental delay. As a result, Katie is not able to bear any weight, is non-verbal and has a fragile immune system.

“Initially we were sad and concerned for what it would mean for our future, but that didn’t last long,” said Meredith, Katie’s mom. “Dan and I decided we would embrace every moment with Katie and try to provide everything she could want.”

Katie requires a multitude of mobility and accessibility equipment including a tilt wheelchair, a stander, an adapted tricycle, a shower commode and a bath chair. She also uses a tablet and an eye-gaze communication device. Easter Seals helped to fund two bath chairs, a stander, a van lift and a ramp as well as her life-changing device.

“Although she can’t talk, Katie understands everything. At age two, she started using an eye-gaze communication device which truly

opened up the world for her,” continued Meredith.

The communication device has also enabled Katie to participate in her community school where she can socialize with other kids for a few months and work with a teacher in their home during the winter. “It’s important to us that Katie has the opportunity to participate in school and other social activities when she can and her communication device has made that so much easier.

As a single income family, we have many expenses. It’s a breath of fresh air to know that her equipment is something we don’t have to pay for and that when we ask Easter Seals for help, they are there. Thank you for taking some of the weight off of families’ shoulders.”

Nine-year-old Katie loves horseback riding, skiing, dancing and soaking in the hot tub — quite a diverse list of activities for a little girl with a fragile medical condition.

Funding Helps Take Some of the Weight Off Families’ Shoulders

PAPER EGGS – NEW LOOK FOR 2019Watch for our new-look Paper Eggs in retailers across Ontario from March 29 – April 21!

March is Easter Seals Month kicks off our annual campaign period across the province. In South Eastern Ontario, tune in to The Kingston Morning Show on CKWS (Global) at 8:20 a.m. on the following March mornings to meet some Easter Seals kids and families: March 1, 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 28. Find out more about our services and how you can help:

EasterSeals.org/March-is-Easter-Seals-Month/

Easter Seals Camp – A Silver LiningKids with physical disabilities and their families face many frustrations, but for one family Easter Seals camp is a silver lining.

At 14, Thomas is at the age where he wants to assert his independence, but having cerebral palsy and limited mobility makes accomplishing this incredibly difficult and frustrating. Thomas’ disability also impairs his speech, so he is often misunderstood, another major roadblock of aggravation.

“It’s very frustrating for Thomas when he desperately wants to do something that takes so much time and effort,” says Linda, Thomas’ mom. “That doesn’t seem to stop him though, and it’s obvious how much more fulfillment he gets when he’s able to take the reigns.”

Being active and engaged is what Easter Seals camp offers.

“Going to Easter Seals camp is at the top of our list – a highlight of the year for Thomas,” continues Linda. “Not only does it give us quality family time, but it’s also a rare opportunity for Thomas to participate in so many activities and feel like he’s in control.”

It’s challenging to find activities, let alone a camp that can support Thomas and provide opportunities for him to be actively involved and independent. “I can’t express enough the importance of having a unique facility like Easter Seals camp with quality, skilled staff to support a multiple of needs. Not just for Thomas, but all kids with disabilities. It’s a silver lining for many families.”

Madisen Dean

Bubbly, bright, 11-year-old Madisen lives in Hamilton, Ont. with her mom, stepdad, older brother, sister and family pets, Fred and Shark. At five, Madisen was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as “brittle bone disease,” a condition that causes her bones to shatter from the slightest bump or pressure. She also has epilepsy.

In the coming year, Madisen is excited to learn new things and share her story “so other kids don’t feel alone and to let adults know what we go through.” She also wants to give back to Easter Seals for the help she and her family have received. “It’s important for donors to know how much they changed my life,” says Madisen.

Graham Baskin

As a 2019 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassador, 16-year-old Graham is looking forward to spendingthe year meeting new people and improving his public speaking and media skills. Graham lives in Uxbridge, Ont. with his parents and Juno, the family dog.

The message Graham hopes to spread during the coming year is “Easter Seals kids along with other kids with disabilities are people just like you and me. However, some of the world can’t see past their appliances. These kids prefer for people to get to know them first before they are judged. By doing these events and sending kids to camp, Easter Seals makes these kids unstoppable!”

Read more about our 2019 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassadors at EasterSeals.org.

Meet the 2019 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassadors

info@easterseals.org | EasterSeals.org

Anonymous (16) Darryl Abbott Muriel & Doug AckhurstRobert Scott AddisonRandy AmbrosieFrancis BaillargeonJonathan BambergerKaren & Bill BarnettSusan Marie BarrettTerry & Colleen BaskinMargaret BatesAlison Baxter-FiorellaAlexander BeatonW. Geoffrey BeattieMichel BeaudoinPaul BeestonDean BellDonald BelovichRobert & Marlene BerkovitzBruce BlackMilton & Mary BlackSandra BloyePaul BorgJim BouchardCatherine & Rudolph BrattyJim BrennanCora BrodiePriscilla Brooks HillGeoff BrownWilliam BryantBrian BurkeRob CamickCraig CampbellTom CarewRoss ChambersDonna ChantlerMichael ChaoChristopher Chapin

Victoria ChenJoe CheshamJoe ChiappettaHoward ChisvinPaolo CiotolaCurtis ClairmontRina ClarkAlec ClokeAllan CockburnKevin & Maria CollinsNatalie ConcannonMr. & Mrs. Charles CoupalMark CrupiKathleen CurtisPaul DalsegKeltech DatasafeKelly DeanRoger DeGuireBev & Jane DekayBlaine DempsterNigel DenhamPeter DentonJune DewarMike DiasMatt DixonBruce D. DoddsPerry DolenteDiane DomelleJoe DukesTom EassonTarek El DewySam ElgoharyNancy ErwinLucas EscottTony FabianoAgnes FaraciJohn FischerJames Flanigan

James FoxJane FrancisDon FranklandPierre FrappierAngela & Marvin FreiburgerJohn FriedrichsenAnna FriesenCasey GallagherRobert GaylerJoe GeorgeJosie & Roy GiesMs L. Ruth GilmerMarcel GladuSteven GlynnDana A. GoldenThomas GoldsteinRussell GoodfellowMarianne GreerShane GriffinGabriel GrossiDonald GuloienDoris HansenMaura HarringtonJohn HayesJilly Henderson McDermottGlynis HenryJohn M. HerhaltLori HewittJ.R. HiraFrank & Christina HolmesDavid HopeGill HorowitzBarbara & Bill HoweWendy HuangTed HunterErica HylandThe Jackson FamilyDr. Glen Jackson

Robert JacksonWilliam JardineJim JarrellJason JohnRichard JoyntChristine & Kevin KellyKaren KellyStewart KennedyFaisal Rashid KhanJoseph KishAndrew KnappSoami KohlyMartin KonMatt KreutzerPaul LarcheGary LastGreg LastScott LawrenceFelix-Etienne LebelDebra LebowKun LiHenia LifshitzBrett LindrosThe Lippa FamilyAnthony LongJack & Sharon MacKayDylan MacnamaraTyler MacnamaraDr. Michael MacriJeff MahonMichelle MajorGregory MalliaMary ManocchioDiane MartinLinda MartinMichael MayhewTom McCormickBrady McDonald

Nancy & John McFadyenPaul McFarlaneJohn McGeeColin & Judy McIntoshRoss McIntoshJason McKagueGary & Joyce McMurrayErin MinerVince MirabelliDale MooreKimberlee MorganBrody MykeMr. Trevor NewellMary NurseSandra NymarkNathalie OldsJustin O’NeillMichael O’NeilSean O’NeillMcLeish OrlandoBharat & Bina PatelKhorshed PatelEd PearceVictor PetersChris PhilionNancy PollockMr. Don PoortShireen PrekstaDavid PrunerMarni & Rick PrzybylskiManoj PunditLillian QuonStephen & Brenda RadfordErika & Alfred RohrJenifer RushTomas SampleTony SantosAlvin Schieck

Mike SchmidtVictoria SchorschMr. Michael E. SchultzJoanne & Norman ScottKevin ScottMichael ScottPaul SekhonJeff ShantzSally ShortTom. A. SkinnerA. Britton SmithSusan SmithAriel SomesBenny SosciaCathy SpragueRobert SpruytteDr. Moe St. MartinRolf StuderMr. & Mrs. Walter SweetmanMohammad TahirBruce & Pat ThorburnWerner & Monika ThumigerDr. Paul TrueloveTom TurnerScott & Olga WagnerMr. John WatsonLinda WhiteMeredith Wiens & Dan HartleyMiss E. Joan WilliamsCarl WilsonJerry WilsonMr. Kent WilsonDarren WolframeKevin WoolhamRobert & Shirley Young

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND GENEROSITYRecognizing donors who made a donation of $1,000 or more in 2018.

We sincerely regret any inadvertent errors or omissions. If you have any questions about the President’s Circle, please contact Kevin Collins at 1.800.668.6252 ext. 340 or kcollins@easterseals.org.

CONTACT USEASTER SEALS ONTARIOOne Concorde Gate, Suite 700Toronto, ON M3C 3N6

Tel: 416.421.8377Toll-free: 1.800.668.6252Fax: 416.696.1035

Regional Telethons: Sault Ste. Marie • March 31, Shaw Cable 10 Windsor-Essex • March 31, CTV Windsor and AM800 CKLW Peterborough • April 7, YourTV and CHEX TV Sudbury • April 28, Eastlink TV

Tune in to meet the children and families Easter Seals helps and find out why your donation is so important.

Join us for the 2019 province-wide Easter Seals Telethon exclusively on CBC!

Sunday, April 7, 201910 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tune in and support Easter Seals kids!

EasterSealsTelethon.org