Suzy Quilts Gives Back: Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley

Learn about Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, one of our Suzy Quilts Gives Back partners for 2022! suzyquilts.com

Supporting our communities and giving back is at the heart of what we do at Suzy Quilts. We've been donating to a wide array of nonprofits since 2020 and this year we aren't only fundraising—we're friend-raising!

That means we're supporting these nonprofits through a financial donation and doing our best to get the word out about the great things they are doing. We want you to get to know the five nonprofits we're donating to in 2022 so you can join us in supporting their good work.

Learn about Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, one of our Suzy Quilts Gives Back partners for 2022! suzyquilts.com

Giving Back: Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley

Easterseals is a national organization and there may be a chapter in your area, but the Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley location in the Chicago suburbs is particularly special to the Suzy Quilts team because my two-year-old daughter Fiona goes to physical, occupational, and speech therapies there.

With a mission to ensure that children with disabilities and their families are empowered, I've seen firsthand through Fiona how Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley helps children thrive. Fiona has a condition called hypotonia which means that she has low muscle tone. That makes it more challenging for her to move which impacted her early milestones, particularly walking and talking.

The fantastic therapists at our local Easterseals have helped Fiona close the gap in her developmental milestones. Not only have Fiona's therapists helped her by making her appointments fun (she particularly enjoys jumping on the trampoline and singing "Five Little Monkeys Jumping On the Bed", and playing "splash" where she gets to jump onto a gigantic blue cushion), but they also helped her get fitted for orthotic braces that helped her take her first steps. 

Now, just over a year later, she's running, jumping, climbing, and speaking in sentences thanks to their help! While she'll always have low muscle tone, she's doing so well that she's even graduating from physical and occupational therapy. Here at Suzy Quilts, we want to see all children with disabilities thrive and live in a barrier-free world. So let's learn more about what Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley does!

Each year, Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley partners with the College of DuPage Photography Department to "showcase the beauty and daily lives of children with developmental delays or disabilities," resulting in a powerful and uplifting annual exhibit. Some of the photographs in this blog post have been part of that project!

Learn about Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, one of our Suzy Quilts Gives Back partners for 2022! suzyquilts.com

Empowering Children with Disabilities

"Our organization has been responding to the needs of children in our community since 1942," said Erin Skaggs, Director of Marketing. "Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley is where families find clear answers and a community of support so children can realize their full potential. We offer free screenings to identify delays as early as possible and critical services in a child’s most formative years (0-5)."

Did you know that 1 in 6 children has a developmental disability? And that 54% of children have missed a milestone during the pandemic? I didn't! That's why it's crucial that every community has a resource like Easterseals to help families through crucial periods of their children's lives. 

In the past year, Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley has served over 2,500 people through their in-center services, tele-therapy, and early intervention! 

Learn about Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, one of our Suzy Quilts Gives Back partners for 2022! suzyquilts.com

What Does Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley Do?

"Our comprehensive services include occupational, physical, and speech-language therapies, assistive technology, medical nutrition, audiology, autism services, family support, mental health services, and inclusive childcare," said Erin. 

In addition to all of the services above, Easterseals also has an Autism Diagnostic Clinic, a Medical Diagnostic Clinic, and specialized feeding, dental, and wheelchair clinics. One of the most important offerings at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley is the Lily Garden Child Care Center, the only inclusive childcare center in DuPage County. 

But that's not even all of the incredible work done by Easterseals! The organization also provides "job training and coaching, employment placement, and transportation services for adults with disabilities, including veterans; adult day programs and employment opportunities for older adults – in addition to a variety of services for people of all ages including behavioral health services, assistive technology, camp and recreation, caregiving support including respite – and much more." 

In addition to their annual photography exhibit, they also host events like a fundraising gala, charity runs, and an inclusive Trunk or Treat. The organization's commitment to helping children is boundless. "We offer a range of support services and resources for parents, caregivers, grandparents, and siblings as they navigate the unique experiences that come from loving and caring for a child with a disability," said Erin.

Learn about Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, one of our Suzy Quilts Gives Back partners for 2022! suzyquilts.com

An Inclusive Community

Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley believes every child deserves to thrive in an inclusive community. Dalilah, pictured above, is just one client at our local Easterseals. As her mom said, "As advocates, we are constantly voicing what we think is right for her, but it's important to understand what she wants. She's an individual and we want to know what she has to say."

Through her time at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, Delilah has learned how to sit, crawl, clap, and stand up. But most importantly, she now has a special communication device that allows her to share her own opinions. Imagine a world where all children had access to this much support!

Learn about Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, one of our Suzy Quilts Gives Back partners for 2022! suzyquilts.com

Say Thanks to Easterseals!

Join us in thanking Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley for the overwhelming good they do in our community! And while you're at it, find an Easterseals chapter in your own community and learn more about the hard work they're doing for children with disabilities where you live!

Learn about Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley, one of our Suzy Quilts Gives Back partners for 2022! suzyquilts.com

4 thoughts on “Suzy Quilts Gives Back: Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley

  1. Shirley Blancato says:

    Read your article on giving back to the local Easter Seals and kids with disabilities. I wanted you to know that I was born with Cerebral Palsy in both legs many years ago, when there was limited knowledge on how to raise a child with a “handicap.” While my parents did the best they could with the info they had (including therapists and doctors and surgeries), I did excel in many ways, but was always held back in others. It warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes to see so many professionals working with little ones at such a young age to make them the best they can be. Thank you so much for posting this article!!

    • Laura Hopper says:

      We’re so glad to hear that this article moved you! Easterseals has done wonders for my daughter and I am so very happy that Suzy Quilts is able to help them continue to do good work and grow their mission! Thanks for sharing your story 🙂

  2. Diane says:

    I’m a retired speech pathologist in Illinois who provided early intervention services for a number of years. I’m also a mom of two adult daughters, both born with hypotonia. They were late walkers and very cautious of trying balance activities, such as rolling on a ball, the dreaded platform swing, and riding bicycles. They greatly benefited from early intervention services, which are available in every state. Parents can ask their pediatrician or school district for contact information for their regional centers. Services are free. While hypotonia can affect endurance for physical activities, such as running, etc., my one daughter is an archeologist who typically puts in 10 hour days hiking 2-3 miles into areas to dig 20-25 shovel test pits each day for her company. She has mild hypotonia. She has no difficulties with her hypotonia any more and loves the physicality of her job. My other daughter does retail. Her hypotonia is moderate and fluctuates throughout her body, so she is tired by bedtime, but otherwise does well in her daily life. Best wishes to you and your daughter.

    • Laura Hopper says:

      Thanks for that story! My daughter is thriving too and has graduated from all of her therapies. But we know that the early help Easterseals provided helped get her on track!

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