Easter Seals

2008 Shop & Care Representatives

Food Lion's Shop & Care is making a real difference in the lives of real people! Meet Food Lion's 2008 Shop & Care Representatives.

Matthew's "Colossal Personality"
Technically, Matthew's disability is called cerebral palsy – often referred to as "CP". Matthew, however, says his "CP" stands for "Colossal Personality". As a young child Matthew received therapy from Easter Seals. Matthew doesn't allow his disability to get in his way. He enjoys skiing and playing wheelchair basketball. His philosophy – "I might do things differently, but I can do it!"

Sha'Quay - A Bubbly 7 Year Old
Sha'Quay was born without a heartbeat. For 28 minutes doctors worked to resuscitate her. As a result of her traumatic birth, Sha'Quay experiences moderate learning delays and has cerebral palsy. At Easter Seals, she receives physical therapy and is learning to sit up by herself. At home, she receives personal care assistance and respite services so that her family – including her seven siblings – can be a family. Now, Sha'Quay is a bubbly seven-year-old who loves meeting new friends and making people laugh, especially her brothers and sisters.

Danny Discovers Greatness
Born with cerebral palsy and a metabolic disorder, four-year-old Danny has faced many obstacles. Attending and Easter Seals children's center has given Danny the opportunity to develop independent skills such as learning to walk and feed himself. Danny accelerates at every thing he does. In fact, his mother credits Easter Seals for teaching him to read at such an early age.

Raysean Learns to Walk
Raysean was born with spina bifida, a serious congenital defect that affects the proper formation of the spine. Rayseans' parents knew he needed support and specialized attention in order to thrive – so they turned to Easter Seals. Now, age 3, Raysean is walking with a walker and will soon begin learning how to walk with crutches – milestones his family never thought he would reach.

Myth:
Easter Seals only helps people with disabilities.

Fact:
Easter Seals' mission is to help people with disabilities to live, learn and work in their community. By supporting the entire family, including parents, siblings and care-givers, we build stronger families and strengthen the diversity of our neighborhoods.

Myth:
People with disabilities can't... live by themselves, be productive, work in a normal job, contribute to society.

Fact:
People with disabilities can do many things when they are empowered to do so. You can help remove those barriers. Do your part to educate your friends and family that people with disabilities have the same hopes and dreams as we all do.