Easter Seals Donors Have Given Stephanie the Chance to Shine
Stephanie has congenital heart disease, seizure disorder, vision and hearing loss, a serious gastrointestinal condition, and global developmental delay. She also has a smile that can light up a room.
Stephanie is eight years old with a lively spirit. She loves watching videos on YouTube, going out, and playing in the park. Because of her many health conditions, she requires 24/7 care and is unable to stand on her own. Lately, her health has become so fragile that surgery and many other treatments are no longer an option. Every day of her life is a medical miracle.
“The doctors can only do so much and will now only support her life. They have told us they will not do any more treatments or surgeries,” offers Cherry, Stephanie’s mom. “When she takes a turn for the worse, we never know if Stephanie will make it. It is very hard on my husband and I.”
“When she takes a turn for the worse, we never know if Stephanie will make it. It is very hard on my husband and I.”
As you can imagine the numerous hospital stays and medical treatments have been incredibly difficult on Stephanie, but the emotional stress of providing care and not knowing if your child will live from one day to the next has been extraordinary on her parents.
In addition to the ongoing strain, the care required by her parents has taken its toll on them. Both parents work; however, because Stephanie is required to be on oxygen, she has to be monitored throughout the night. As a result of the ongoing lack of sleep over so many years, Cherry has developed a serious condition in both eyes and is at risk of going blind.
The extreme challenges this family faces have only been compounded by the pandemic. They have lost all overnight nursing assistance, and given her fragile condition, they are terrified of what will happen if Stephanie contracts COVID-19.
You can provide a lifeline to families like Stephanie’s. Your support can help families get the essential equipment their child needs.
Despite her health and mobility challenges, Stephanie is a happy little girl. When her health allows it, she enjoys going to school and being around her classmates. Having the appropriate mobility and accessibility equipment helps Stephanie to live with greater independence and take part in the activities that she loves.
Through the generosity of donors like you, Easter Seals has been able to help Stephanie’s family purchase her first walker, bath chair, commode, a ramp for the family’s van, an adapted stroller, and more recently, a new walker that has accommodated her growth.
“She is so proud when she can walk like the other kids using her walker,” shares Cherry. “The equipment has allowed all of us to be safer and avoid injuries. It also lets Stephanie be more independent. When she’s in her walker she feels more like she can do things on her own … We are very thankful to the donors. We truly appreciate everything you’ve done for our family.”
“She is so proud when she can walk like the other kids using her walker,” shares Cherry. “The equipment has allowed all of us to be safer and avoid injuries. It also lets Stephanie be more independent.”
By making a donation to Easter Seals, you will be helping transform lives of children like Stephanie, and strengthening our century-long legacy of inclusion, accessibility, and acceptance.
In 2022, Easter Seals Ontario is marking 100 years of creating a better world for children and youth with physical disabilities. We are extremely proud of this milestone, one that is achieved only by those with the fiercest passion and determination to succeed and the most ardent supporters.
100 years ago, attending school and participating in activities outside of the home would have been unimaginable for a child with Stephanie’s conditions. Today, supporters like you have made it possible for Stephanie’s light to shine. Because of you, she has the ability to participate and be included.