Easterseals Helps Little Superheroes Thrive
Doctors may have painted a bleak picture for little Demi Rodgers, who was born without an esophagus, the part of the body that connects the throat to the stomach, and Spina Bifida. However, the team of therapists at Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore is working side-by-side with her family, offering support and encouragement to help Demi meet her milestones.
“There is nothing wrong with Demi. She has a superpower!” says her mom, Amy, of Delmar, MD. “With Easterseals, I know Demi is going to be okay because we have the right help. I learned so much about her that I didn’t think she’d be capable of doing.”
Easterseals celebrates National Physical Therapy Month, marked every October, by recognizing the contributions that physical therapists make in the lives of participants, like Demi. After Demi had surgery to address her esophagus, Amy and the therapists hit the ground running with occupational and physical therapies, including stretches to help with head control and exercise to help her move. The therapists worked with Amy teaching her exercises to help Demi at home to continue the therapy throughout the week.
“Doctors told us she wouldn’t walk or sit up. Thanks to Easterseals, she was walking two weeks after that appointment,” Amy says. “Without Easterseals, I don’t know how I would have gotten through it. I had no clue what to do. I listened to everything the therapists told me to do and put it to work.”
Demi is now a thriving, sassy three-year-old. She can sing her “ABCs”, write her own name and converse with adults. She is working on motor skills. Her therapists are working with her legs to make sure she is not in pain and will not walk with a limp in the future, due to the Spina Bifida. With Easterseals help, Demi has a bright future.
“Easterseals has met Demi’s needs in every aspect of her life,” Amy says. “They taught me how to take care of Demi. They made me feel like no matter what, I have that support system.”
A trusted provider of children’s therapy services, 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.
Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore is leading the way to an inclusive community through its innovative services, which include: children’s therapies, day programs for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, supported employment, senior services, recreational camping, respite services, and services for caregivers. To learn more about Easterseals, call 1-800-677-3800 or visit www.de.easterseals.com.
Demi Rodgers defied the odds thanks to Easterseals Children’s Therapy program.
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