Dando es como recibimos

It’s better to give than to receive (English). 

Can you image being in another country and you don’t know the language? I must say it was difficult for me to communicate when I was in Hungary four summers ago, and I think the most difficult part was expressing my needs. Have you ever considered how this would feel on a day-to-day base? Sara Osleger does.  

Sara Osleger who is a mother of 3 year old twins and a volunteer at Easter Seals Florida’s Adult Day Break at the Miller Center, gave back to our members by going above and beyond. Upon her volunteering she found the need to break the language barrier between the staff and the clients. Seeing the need, she started a fundraising campaign, which raised the money to purchase four iPads, four iPads cases, and various apps. 

“I might have been the catalyst for this fundraiser but it’s the donors who directly impacted the center and made the difference," said Sara.                                                                

Bert playing a matching game app called Smiley Fruit.

This gave our staff the opportunity to communicate to those who are bilingual. Needless to say this was an amazing gift to our members and to the staff. For over 100 years Easter Seals has had countless volunteers give back to our members and over thousands of volunteer hours logged in. Sara is the definition of volunteerism. Giving back to the community and enriching the lives of others. She said: 

“I try to maintain a balanced life and that is why Easters Seals is a part of it. I’ve always been taught through my family and church how important it is to give back, and there is nothing more gratifying.” 

Whether it be a language barrier, disability, or a special need this could help Easter Seals members feel more involved and listened to because it’s better to give than receive. #VolunTweet  #DoGooder 

Little Girl, Big Heart

It’s Feeling Fabulous Friday!

We are feeling so fabulous this Friday at Easter Seals Florida because of a little girl with a big heart! Five-year-old Mya’s mother, Lisa, wanted to involve her in community volunteering.  Lisa arranged for Mya to help literacy specialist Mayra Alvarado with the new mobile library at Easter Seals' Murray Child Development Center.  For months, Mya read a book to the kids in each classroom at the center and helped them check out books from the mobile library, a small library on wheels that she brought from classroom to classroom.  She even created library cards for each child in the center.

Mya:

Mya went home from her volunteer experience determined to collect more children's books for the children of Easter Seals. She made a flyer that she sent out to friends and family, and soon books were coming in from all over the country...over 500 books were collected in all! But that wasn't enough for Mya. She wanted to be sure that Easter Seals' Murray Child Development Center had its very own library. After many volunteers sorted through and organized books, painted walls and murals, and put the final touches of decorations to the place, it was ready for our children!  The grand opening of the Murray Child Development Center library was held in July of 2011. 

But that’s not all!  Starting last summer, Mya got the itch to create another library at Easter Seals’ Igoe-Amar Child Development Center, the Murray Center’s sister program in West Palm Beach.  She collected once again over 500 more books, and on January 23, 2013 the new Children’s Library and Literacy Center was opened!  Check out pictures from the dedication here: grand opening of their library.

Today we want to thank Mya for her warm heart and drive to make a difference. No matter our location, age or circumstance, Mya’s story is a lesson that we can make a difference when we put our hearts and minds to it.

The Murray Center Library:

The Amar Center Library:

The Amar Center Library Grand Opening:

See even more photos in the grand opening album on our Facebook page.

Where you find peace of mind

Feeling Fabulous Friday!

We want to share this story today because it makes us feel fabulous to see Tony and Ruth happy!  They have shared their story with us and we want to pass it on to you. We hope this makes you feel fabulous too.

My name is Ruth and I am 83 years old.  I live with my husband, daughter and grandson.  I am the caregiver for all.  My husband Tony suffers from a variety of health issues, my daughter has diabetes and has had it since birth and my grandson is delayed from a premature birth.  Seems I am the only one that is healthy.  I was afraid to go out shopping or to socialize with friends and family because I didn’t want to leave my husband alone.  I didn’t even think about going out of town because of fear for my daughter.  I needed some help.  I had heard about the personal emergency response service through TV ads, newspaper ads and even in magazines.  It was time.  I called Easter Seals SafetyNet.  It was the best call I had ever made.  Their technician was out to install within one day.  He explained the service and how to use the equipment.  It was so easy and I didn’t feel intimidated to use it.  My husband wears it around his neck and my daughter (who has her own button) wears hers as a bracelet.  I now have the peace of mind in knowing I could leave and either one of them can reach someone at the touch of a button.  We have used this service on many occasions, it was quick and each time the paramedics were at the house within minutes, and I believe saved the lives of my family.  I am so grateful for the services Easter Seals provides and for their wonderful customer service.  We are here because of them.

Visit Easter Seals SafetyNet website or call 407-629-1757 in Central Florida, or toll free at 1-877-347-3257 for if you or someone you know needs this kind of service.

Have a Fabulous Friday everyone!

Josué's Miracle Story

Miracle Monday

Miracle Monday… because who doesn't love miracles?

Today we want to share this heart-warming letter from Mary Ann, the mother of one of Easter Seals Treasure Coast Early Steps’ clients.

               

Josué was initially evaluated by Treasure Coast Early Steps at 2 months of age and was found to have low muscle tone, stiffness in his legs and occasional tremoring/clonus and compensatory posturing and transitions due to this. He began working with the physical therapist from the Primary Service Provider Team. She demonstrated the exercises we were to focus on throughout each week and how to add them to the little things we do as a family each day. Our PT Primary Provider was fun and provided our family with information and weekly progress sheets. At the age of 14 months, Josué began to walk during one of his therapy sessions and we were able to catch it on video! It was a wonderful moment to share as a team!

At 15 months we noticed that he stopped using the few words he had, so we added a speech therapist to our regular visits.. At 20 months Josué began speech therapy with a combination of sign language and play therapy. His wonderful speech therapist, has worked with our family in our native language, which is Spanish. She is a conscientious, soft-spoken, fun-loving young lady who is totally committed to helping us enable Josué to communicate. He learned many signs in a short period of time and used them to make meaningful, creative, and specific communication. As his oral language skills have progressed, he has slowly stopped using sign language, but he feels comfortable using sign language as a means of communication in unfamiliar situations. 

As we come closer to his third birthday, I am proud of his accomplishments and extremely grateful to The Lord for the marvelous, caring people who have come into our lives in the form of Early Steps therapists and family service coordinators who are only a phone call away and who have become part of our extended family.

Respectfully yours,

Mary Ann

We hope this launches a great week for you. Please share your inspirational stories with us. Don’t forget to submit any questions you may have in the question box in the right panel.

Easter Seals Florida History (part 1)

Welcome back to Memories Monday!

It is important to reflect. Memory Mondays give us an opportunity to thank others and refresh ourselves on how we became what we are today. Who can think of a more encouraging way to start the week?

Easter Seals Florida has a long and amazing history that is worth remembering. That’s why we feel the need to share! In order to truly know the roots of Easter Seals Florida, it is best to first know the history of Easter Seals on a national scale.

Enjoy!

·         A man named Edgar Allen was surprised to learn that children with disabilities were often hidden from public view.

·         Before this happened, Edgar Allen’s son was in a streetcar accident, which left him with use of his legs.  It was then that Edgar Allen searched for services to help his son, and was unable to find them.  He then also was digging around for information and realized that people with disabilities were hidden from public view. 

·         Inspired by this discovery, in 1919 Allen founded what became known as the National Society for Crippled Children, the first organization of its kind.

·         Today we serve over One million children & adults with disabilities at over 450 locations across the country.

·         In the spring of 1934, the organization launched its first Easter “seals” campaign to raise money for its services.  To show their support, donors placed the seals on envelopes and letters. 

 

 

·         The lily, a symbol of spring, was officially incorporated as Easter Seals’ logo in 1952 for its association with new life and has appeared on each seal since.

·         The overwhelming public support for the Easter “seals” campaign triggered a nationwide expansion of the organization and a swell of grassroots efforts on behalf of people with disabilities.  By 1967, the Easter “seal” was so well recognized that the organization formally adopted the name “Easter Seals.”

Thank you for joining us on Memories Monday. Join us again next week for the rest of the story!

Don’t forget to submit questions in the right panel question box… we will post answers to the blog J

 

A heartwarming letter from Rina's family

Welcome to our kick off of Memories Monday!

It is important to reflect. Memory Mondays give us an opportunity to thank others and refresh ourselves on how we became what we are today. Who can think of a more encouraging way to start the week?

Today we want to thank Maria Arce and Elizabeth Arce-Ocampa. These two lovely ladies took the time to write us a very heart warming thank you note, so we want to thank them in return! They have said it is okay to share their note, so feel free to read it below.

Our mother, Rina, has been going to Easter Seals Day Break for three years and it has been a blessing. She has Alzheimer’s and needs a place that can meet her specific needs. My sister and I are so happy to have found this wonderful place for our mother. When we are at work, our minds are at peace because she is well cared for and safe. We know she loves it there.

The director, Jody Hampton and her staff are amazing. Jody is extremely knowledgeable in the field of care giving. She's comforting, energetic, focused, and efficient. She listens and works with the caregivers, which is very important. She always has time to update us. In addition, the staff members are attentive and dedicated.  

We feel the activities at Easter Seals Day Break have helped to slow down the Alzheimer’s. The staff helps our mother during lunch to make sure she has eaten and helps her with her personal needs. She has the opportunity to exercise, with supervision, on a Geri Walker, which is great for her arthritis. We are always told how she enjoys the quest speakers and how she can participate on her level or just observe. The interaction with others, plus the sights and sounds, keep her mind stimulated. The nurse is another benefit of Easter Seals, she helps with medications so there is less for us to do at home.

Finally, my sister and I are fortunate to have found Easter Seals Day Break. We are still able to keep our mother with us and she continues to enjoy life at her pace and own level.

Thank you,

Maria Arce & Elizabeth Arce-Ocampo

We are so pleased to have made a difference in these lives. They brighten our days too. Thank you for joining us on Memories Monday. Have a lovely week! 

Don’t forget to submit questions in the box to the right… we will post answers to the blog J