Navigating a World Impacted By COVID-19
by Yolanda
The world is facing an extremely difficult and sobering time. Many of our lives have been put on pause or turned upside down. This is especially felt by those in the Easterseals community. The virus is mostly affecting people with disabilities, older adults, people with complex medical conditions, as well as parents and caregivers who do everything they can to ensure the well-being of their loved ones.
While this may be a challenging time for everyone in our communities, we hold on to our values now more than ever. Easterseals is not just about delivering services; we are about community. We are about overcoming barriers and obstacles together with the support of our friends, neighbors, families and loved ones.
From the start of the pandemic, we have found new and innovative ways to serve individuals, families and communities who have come to rely on Easterseals for more than 100 years. We will continue to face the challenges posed by COVID-19 and make it through together. Until then, we are proud and inspired by the commitment of the Easterseals network of 68 facilities which serve 1.5 million individuals and families each year – including now as we face this national public health crisis.
- Telehealth and Virtual Services. Many Easterseals health care professionals throughout our network are now delivering services through technology or by telephone. We are still connecting with individuals and families by providing counseling, therapies, guidance on health and wellness, referring people to resources for food and other essential needs, as well as providing stay-at-home activities and exercises.
Take a look at little Isiah from Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore completing his last Easterseals speech therapy session virtually! We are so proud of him!
- Online Events. Several Easterseals programs and events were unfortunately closed, cancelled or postponed during the Coronavirus outbreak. However, Easterseals therapists, early education teachers, and instructors have taken to social media to offer families free resources, activities and tips to help them navigate staying at home during the pandemic. Sheila, an Easterseals therapist, hosted an online sing-a-long for children looking to make their voices heard! Amica, a teacher, gave us story time for kids. And Danielle, another Easterseals therapist, has created a video series to help families implement positive behavior intervention supports at home.
As mentioned, many Easterseals events and programs used to generate revenue have been cancelled or closed. The good news is that a lot of them have gone virtual! Please be sure to visit your local Easterseals to see how you can support your community, or if you can, please donate here.
- Community support. As you know, New York is experiencing an alarming number of COVID-19 cases which threatens the health care infrastructure within the state. Easterseals is doing everything possible to ensure essential goods and resources get to families that need them. This includes collecting and distributing food and other necessities (laundry soap, bar soap, shampoo, hand wipes) to over 500 people with disabilities, older adults and their families. Here’s how you can help.
- Online Resources. We want to make sure people are informed and equipped with the most helpful information to navigate the new normal of sheltering in place during the crisis. Here are a few resources for you – please share!
- Coronavirus: Staying Healthy Together – a collection of network-wide resources to support parents and people with disabilities
- Resources for Caregivers – a collection of resources put together by Easterseals Central Illinois to help parents cope with stay-at-home directives.
- Coronavirus Resources (Links to a master spreadsheet) – Thanks to Easterseals Colorado for gathering these robust resources, addressing everything from delivery services to physical and mental wellness to socializing. Some of these resources are specific to Colorado but many can be used by anyone.
We hope you find these resources helpful and inspire you to do what you can to stay safe and healthy. We’re in this together!
April 26th, 2020 at 9:03 pm
Hi i have my grandson and he has autism can you please send me more information and resources for him Thank you and god bless.
April 25th, 2020 at 11:10 am
Need help with trying to get my Autistic child to participate in things. He likes yo watch television only.and becomes very angry and hostile whenever this happens.
April 8th, 2020 at 2:56 am
God Bless lets make sure the vulnerable are always taken care of.
April 7th, 2020 at 2:32 pm
Thank you for this amazing resource. We appreciate all you do.
April 7th, 2020 at 2:01 pm
i would like to volunteer remotely to help. I would appreciated if you let me know of any available opportunity.