Easter Seals Disability Services

                             Let me tell you about a little girl we call a Christmas Miracle!

            Her name is Carys. She was born last year just before Christmas. With three other healthy children, her parents had no reason to suspect this baby would be any different. But in her first few days of life, her parents, Amy and Sean, noticed that Carys’s little body seemed to twitch. Hospital staff explained that as an infant’s neurological system develops, occasional tremors are not unusual. At home though, Carys’s symptoms persisted and increased. As she would nurse, her eyes would roll back and her body would shake. Still not so unusual, her mom was told.

            At one month, Amy brought Carys to her doctor for her routine vaccination, visited about her symptoms and scheduled an appointment for further medical testing. That night, Amy was awakened by Carys’s crying not a hungry type of cry, but a high-pitched, ear-piercing squeal. Carys was breathing rapidly, her body
trembling her frightened parents rushed her to the emergency room.

       There, tiny Carys was admitted to the hospital to determine if she suffered a seizure. Following tests seemingly reserved for adults MRIs and EEGs among them her worried parents learned the term ‘cerebral atrophy’ or loss of brain cells. Further, they were informed that Carys would never be aware of her surroundings, was perhaps blind and would never make progress.  

            The anguish…the helplessness…the lost dreams…can you imagine what you would do?

            Amy and Sean had heard about Easter Seals Capper Foundation actually Sean’s father received help there following a farm accident as a young man. They also knew their neighbor’s little boy received therapy at Capper. “We chose to focus on Carys’s abilities and knew Capper was where she would receive the best start,” says Amy.

           At two months of age, Carys began therapy with Capper Pediatric Physical Therapist Kim Coker, to strengthen her posture so she could lift her head. Improving her feeding and her ability to reach and hold were initially addressed by Pediatric Occupational Therapist Wilma Ferkol. Her parents felt blessed when it was noted that she was able to visually track objects - Carys can see!

            Today, one-year-old Carys sits by herself and crawls to fetch and play with her favorite toys! Already skilled at finger foods, she practices using a fork and spoon and she drinks confidently from a cup. Like many toddlers, to express her wants, Carys uses some sign language, although many new words are beginning to emerge. She smiles, plays pat-a-cake and is becoming more social each day. “She is making excellent progress,” comments her therapist.

            Amy explains, “Capper has an amazing team kind and caring. You not only give great care to children, but you also help the family members. We think every child is a miracle and we are blessed. We are also very grateful for all that you have done to help Carys in her development.”

            In turn, we must say how grateful we are to you, our friends and donors, who have consistently provided the very necessary funds to help us carry out our mission to help Carys and other children know the joy of
independence.

            As you think more about the story of this little miracle named Carys, please consider making a generous contribution so that we can continue to provide help, hope and answers to children and families living with disabilities.

Sincerely,

Jim Leiker

President & CEO