Meet 2025 Adult Ambassador Greg Butler.

Greg Butler has been a part of the local Easterseals family for decades. Greg’s wife Toni spent years as an Easterseals speech therapist, helping kids and adults learn to communicate. Toni and Greg couldn’t have imagined that they would become Easterseals clients themselves! But that’s what happened after Greg was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
    
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder that affects each person differently. The first sign of Greg’s condition was rigidity in his hands 38 years ago. Since then, other movement-related symptoms have impacted his life. Through it all, services at the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center have helped Greg achieve his primary goal–to stay mobile and continue living at home with Toni.
    
The most important thing Easterseals does? “They provide tools I need to remain productive and mobile, from a team of professional staff members,” Greg said. Every piece of mobiity equipment Greg has utilized has come from the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. From a cane and walkers to a custom wheelchair, the devices have enabled Greg to keep moving.
    
Staff members are also valuable resources for Toni as Greg’s condition changes. They offer creative solutions that enable Toni to safely assist Greg with daily activities at home, such as accessing the shower, transferring in and out of his wheelchair, or getting in and out of bed.
    
Greg’s hard work in Easterseals physical therapy maximizes his strength, balance, and coordination. During each weekly session he makes multiple “laps” around the first floor using a rolling walker. He also enjoys a workout with boxing gloves! Greg is always willing to try new equipment and techniques, like walking across the gym using a harness with a ceiling-mounted power lift system.
    
Recently Greg was thrilled to discover that he can walk independently in Easterseals’ fully-accessible, warm-water therapeutic pool! The buoyancy of the water allows him to walk with no assistance for the first time in years! That accomplishment provides beneficial exercise and is a great morale booster. Greg plans to become a “regular” at the pool and to keep achieving his goals!