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3/1/2010
Easter Seals Helps Families in Difficult Times

Toronto, ON, February 23, 2010—All parents want their children to grow up happy, healthy and self-sufficient, but sometimes life delivers a shattering blow. For the Keith family, their son, 5 1/2 month-old Carter, was rushed to the hospital with a life-changing injury. After a few days, it was confirmed that the injuries Carter suffered were as a result of being shaken by his childcare provider.

Today, Carter Keith is nearly 6-years-old and lives with his family in Welland, Ontario. Carter needs assistance with his most basic needs. He is fed through a feeding tube to his stomach and will always be in a wheelchair.

“Carter is 24 by 7 care. He needs help to move his arms, legs, and head. Just everything requires assistance,” said Carter’s mom, Christine Keith. “Carter will be 6 years-old in March and is already going on his fourth wheelchair. We were required to pay a great portion of the wheelchair costs, and it was difficult finding the funds to do so. That’s where Easter Seals helps. We were amazed, thrilled and thankful that Easter Seals was able to help us.”

Without his customized wheelchair and wheelchair seating, Carter develops complications with his spine. He needs his custom-designed equipment to help maintain his posture and to prevent his spine from curving and crushing his lungs. In Carter’s case, having the right equipment is critical: His ability to breathe depends on it.

“Easter Seals Ontario helps thousands of kids, like Carter, every year by providing financial assistance for costly mobility equipment and communication devices,” said Carol Lloyd, President and CEO, Easter Seals Ontario. “ By providing financial assistance, Easter Seals performs an essential service to families who might not otherwise have the resources to obtain this equipment.”

Easter Seals Ontario also owns and operates two fully accessible residential camp properties and is recognized as an industry leader in providing specialized recreation programs for kids with physical disabilities.

‘March is Easter Seals Month,’ the annual fundraising and awareness campaign for kids with physical disabilities. “All year-round, but especially during 'March is Easter Seals Month,' we wish to thank supporters and tell people about the importance of their donations in helping children with physical disabilities live safely in their own homes with dignity, and a greater level of independence," said Carol Lloyd.

During ‘March is Easter Seals Month,’ there are many ways to help kids with physical disabilities, like Carter Keith. The Keith family will appear on the annual Easter Seals Telethon on Sunday, March 14th on CBC and other local broadcasters. Their story is also featured in the Easter Seals direct mail campaign, one of Easter Seals’ largest fundraising initiatives. Easter Seals direct mail will be arriving in households in early March and is a great way to donate. For more information or to donate online, visit www.easterseals.org.

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For media or interview inquiries, contact:
Barb Saunders
Communications
Easter Seals Ontario
(416) 421-8377 Ext. 326, cell: (416) 655-9546
bsaunders@easterseals.org