Easterseals’ Post

As we welcome May, it's not just about blooming flowers and spring in the air—it's also about honoring a day steeped in history. May Day, traditionally a celebration of spring, revolutionized into a day of worker solidarity and rights. For our seniors considering downsizing, May Day can be a powerful reminder of the importance of community and support. Just as workers on May Day unite for a common cause, I see the remarkable strength when families come together to help their loved ones transition into the next phase of life with care and compassion 🤝. This May Day, let's channel that revolutionary zeal into making empowering choices for our seniors. Here are action-packed ways to do just that: 1. Community Connect: Visit local events with your senior loved ones to foster a sense of community and togetherness. 2. Knowledge Share: Learn about May Day's origins together, sparking conversations about history and personal stories. 3. Rights Review: Reflect on the importance of advocacy, in history and in ensuring the well-being of our seniors. Helping families navigate the emotional and complex journey of downsizing is more than a service—it's a mission close to my heart. Because when we stand united, the transition becomes less about loss and more about stepping into a future with confidence and dignity. How do you plan to make this May Day memorable and meaningful for your loved ones? 🌷🌼👵🏼👴🏼 #MayDay #SeniorLiving #CommunitySupport #Family #Downsizing #RealEstate #SouthCentralPA

🎄The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and creating lasting memories. But for families with children who have special needs, it can also bring unique challenges. The Special Needs Alliance has shared a thoughtful blog post by Jo-Anne Herina Jeffreys, Esq., filled with practical tips and insights to help families celebrate in a way that’s meaningful and inclusive. From managing sensory sensitivities to creating traditions that work for everyone, this article is a must-read. ✨ Let’s make the season bright for every family! Read the full post by following the link in the comments below! #SpecialNeedsParenting #InclusiveHolidays #SpecialNeedsAlliance

Here’s why ⬇️ Save this for later! 💡 Partners, your role in the delivery room is HUGE. Asking the right questions can make all the difference for your loved one during labor. It’s not just about being there—it’s about being present, informed, and supportive in the best ways possible. 👉🏾 "How can I best support her right now?" Sometimes, the simplest actions - like holding her hand or helping her breathe - can mean the most. This question ensures you’re in sync with her needs. 👉🏾 "What are the risks and benefits of this intervention?" Before any decision is made, get the full picture. This helps you feel confident that every step taken is truly the best for her and the baby. 👉🏾 "Can we have a moment to discuss our options privately?" Labor can feel overwhelming. This gives you both time to process, breathe, and decide together without feeling rushed. 👉🏾 "What’s the next step if this doesn’t go as planned?" Labor doesn’t always follow a script, but knowing the options can help you both feel calmer and more prepared for what’s ahead. 👉🏾 "Is there anything we can do to make her more comfortable?" Little things, like adjusting her position or dimming the lights, can ease her stress and create a supportive environment for her to focus on bringing baby earthside. ✨ Partners, your voice and actions can shape her birth experience. Be her advocate, her rock, and her biggest cheerleader. Need more guidance? We’re just a message away! 📩 #havenplacedoulas #dadsupport #birthprep #birthdoula #birthsupport #birthrights #laboranddelivery #dadtobe #soontobedad #fathers #fatherhood #boston #massachusetts

Celebrate Grandparents Day and #DoSomethingGrand. The 2024 theme, “Grand Minds: Learn, Love, Legacy,” highlights the role of learning across generations and celebrates the ways in which grandparents and older adults inspire, mentor, and shape the future of younger generations. #ArrowSecurity #ExpertService #SecurityExperts #WeCare #SecurityGuards #PrivateSecurity #SecurityPrograms #GrandparentsDay

Every day, Easterseals' 37,000 employees provide essential services to children and adults with disabilities, aging adults, veterans, and their families in communities across the country. We make a lasting impact in the lives of 1.5 million people annually by providing care and support at every stage of life. Hardworking American families who depend on organizations like Easterseals for food, housing, health care, and job training should never have to go through another day like today. For them, and those who serve them, it was a day of heartache, chaos, panic, and real fear. In thousands of communities all across America. And there may be more pain on the horizon with talk of cuts to Medicaid and other programs that help Americans keep their heads above water. Everybody wants to make sure every federal dollar is spent wisely. But we need to do it in a way that protects veterans, aging adults, and more than 1 in 4 Americans with a disability. Now that a federal court has put a temporary pause on the grant freeze, let’s do a reset. We can have responsible government spending and support hardworking American families.

Resilience is built through adversity

How often do you show yourself appreciation? 🤔 I know this is a tough one for me… Especially as a special needs parent, caregiver, educator, advocate or financial planner...it can be a thankless job. Not intentionally, of course. It’s just that the stakes are high and the demands are constant. We ALL forget to slow down and show ourselves (and others) some love. Let this post be that moment for you! Let’s shine a spotlight on this incredible community ✨ Tell me… → What does your role in the special needs community mean to you? → What inspires you to do this work & what got you started? → What are your hopes for the future of the special needs community? Together, we will create the change we wish to see ❤️ P.S. Are you in the Circle of Care Community?  Caregivers, professionals and allies of the disability community come together to create a lifeline of support, encouragement, and education to foster great inclusion and compassion. 🦋 Check it out: https://lnkd.in/e_n4RcSA

As Black Maternal Health Week comes to a close, let's not let the conversation end. Black women continue to face unacceptable health risks during pregnancy and childbirth. This week, we've seen a powerful movement to raise awareness, but the fight for equity in maternal health is ongoing. Here's how we can keep the momentum going: Educate ourselves: Stay informed about the factors contributing to Black maternal health disparities. Advocate for change: Support policies that address racial bias in healthcare and increase access to quality care for Black mothers. Amplify Black voices: Support Black-led organizations like Black Mamas Matter Alliance (blackmamasmatter.org) and share their perspectives. Hold institutions accountable: Demand transparency and action from healthcare systems to improve outcomes for Black mothers. Together, we can build a future where Black women can experience safe and respectful pregnancies. #ReproductiveJustice #BlackMamasMatter We also invite you to watch a powerful panel discussion we hosted last year about balancing family planning and climbing the career ladder.

5th Week Reflections [Building connections, one step at a time] When I joined, I was mindful of the mission I was entrusted with. I took time to understand what we do, why we do it, and how we could make it even better—not by changing for the sake of change, but by deepening and sustaining what was already unique and meaningful. With the rebranding of our department as Befriender Engagement and Experience, I reflected on what it truly means—for me, my team, our Befrienders, the families we serve, and the organization. This led to a vision: to build a community of care, where everyone—children, families, Befrienders, and staff—is supported and uplifted. Staying connected with our Befrienders was crucial. They’re the heart of what we do, and it’s just as important that they understand our mission and purpose. The first step? Taking care of my team. On my one-month mark, we went for a team bonding session—a chance to rest, recharge, and align before building stronger connections with the larger Befriender community. Together, we brainstormed and took a small yet meaningful step: introducing ourselves through a newsletter. It’s a simple gesture, but it lays the foundation for deeper connections. Better late than never! #LeadershipJourney #BuildingConnections #CommunityOfCare

What is behaviour support, and how can it truly help? At the Sunshine Coast Regional Disability Expo, we listened to your questions and concerns about behaviour support, and we want you to know that Renew is different. 1. Accessible Practitioners: We have 100% evidence of meeting with the individual, their family, and key supporters, compared to an industry average of just 13%. You can count on our team to be there every step of the way. 2. Plans That Work: Our streamlined, action-based plans are designed to make a difference. We don’t just hand over documents; we create real, lasting change for your person with a disability. 3. Industry-Leading Team: With well over 100 years of expertise, you’re backed by professionals trained by leaders in behaviour support. Openings are available! To learn how we can help, visit our website at https://lnkd.in/gBkZiCv7 or call (07) 4659 9133. Together, we’re breaking down barriers.