Joa glows when he talks about his son, Jaxon, who has spastic cerebral palsy. He recently shared their family’s experiences and the transformative impact of Easterseals.
Joa described the day when he learned about Jaxon's disability, emphasizing the lack of information and uncertainty he felt as a parent. “We had no idea what that meant or what that meant for him, what that meant for our future.” He highlighted the pivotal role Easterseals played in providing crucial early therapies, fostering progress and instilling hope in his son’s and their family’s journey.
Easterseals, according to Joa, is more than an organization or location; it's a family. The therapists, he said, treat them with genuine care and engagement. “I always feel like the therapists…have always been fully engaged with him, with us. It just makes it an enjoyable experience knowing that the person that’s there helping Jaxon is ... in the moment through every therapy that he goes to.” In earlier years, Jaxon’s therapies, ranging from fine motor skills to physical transitions, have enabled him to achieve milestones like sitting up and feeding himself. Joa expressed immense gratitude for the extensive range of services that have positively impacted Jaxon's life.
As Jaxon transitions to middle school, Joa acknowledges the challenges he may face in keeping up with activities as all families with school-aged kids do. “It’s gonna be a big change of pace for him. He’s gonna have to be able to get to these classes quicker and get through material faster. So it’s essential for him to be able keep up with those activities.” But he believes that Easterseals has set Jaxon up for success by providing resources and developing essential skills for navigating change: “Easterseals probably has had a huge impact on what he will be in the future.”
Reflecting on the broader impact, Joa says that Easterseals has given Jaxon opportunities he didn’t know existed. Joa shared that it's crucial to share their family’s story so that others can see the potential that Easterseals can unlock for children with disabilities, offering services and supports that make a bright future more accessible.
“People probably don’t realize what kind of impact their donations give to kids on a regular basis. It’s given us limitless potential with Jaxon,” he says. Speaking on donors, Jaxon adds, “you’re helping thousands of, maybe millions of kids across the country, and it really does make a difference.”
Joa beams and says he feels great pride when he considers his child’s achievements; Jaxon climbing a wall, getting out to ride his bike or bringing home a sled hockey trophy—and the positive impact these activities have on his son’s mental health. Joa reflects on Jaxon's surgeries and has a great appreciation for the medical professionals and Jaxon's resilience.
Joa's words are a testament to the invaluable support and opportunities that Easterseals provides for children like Jaxon, fostering growth, independence, and access to a brighter, more inclusive future for people with disabilities.
Join Easterseals All Access today to help provide support all year long for children like Jaxon.
Below: Watch Jaxon as he shares how Easterseals is making a profound difference in his life.
