Spring/Summer 2014
MEET
the 2014
Easter Seals Michigan
AMBASSADORS
E
aster Seals Michigan (ESM) is proud to announce the 2014 Child and Adult Ambassadors. Candidates are nominated by a member of the ESM staff. Each candidate is interviewed and an ambassador is selected based on their passion for the mission of ESM, willingness to share their personal story and their comfort level in public situations. They attend organization events and represent us in the community. Dawn
Ferndale resident, Dawn Fox, was recently named is ESM’s Adult Ambassador. Dawn represents those that have struggled with a co-occurring disorder; that is they have both a behavioral health and substance use disorder occurring at the same time. Of the 8.9 million Americans with a co-occurring disorder only 7.4% will actually seek treatment for both conditions. When Dawn first came to ESM she was fighting a long history of substance use and depression. She was homeless and struggling with instability. After establishing a treatment plan with ESM staff, she was on her road to living her life as a sober and independent person. Now, several years later, Dawn has her own apartment and has devoted her life to helping others while she continues to receive treatment from ESM.
Daniel Southfield youth, Daniel Dallo, is ESM’s 2014 Child Ambassador. Daniel represents the one in 68 children born with autism, a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. At 2½ years old Daniel began receiving early intervention treatment
through the school district where he was diagnosed with autism. The school suggested that Daniel begin services at Easter Seals Michigan. With work from ESM and his parents, his language skills have quickly grown over time. “When Daniel started The P.L.A.Y. Project, he didn’t speak. Not one word,” says Daniel’s mom. “He had been taught a few things in early intervention treatment but I’d never heard him say, ‘Mommy,’ ‘Daddy,’ ‘Goodbye,’ or ‘I love you.’” Those words slowly began coming to Daniel. “I still remember the first time he went to school and he turned and said, ‘Goodbye, Mom.’ He was four. I just sat there and broke down in the parking lot and cried. I’d waited so long to hear him say those words.”
Events
Save the Date “Seals on Wheels” Classic Car Show & Century 21 Town and Country $100,000 Raffle Easter Seals Michigan Auburn Hills location June 7, 2014 Walk With Me Grand Rapids John Ball Zoo Grand Rapids, Michigan June 11, 2014 Century 21 Town and Country 2014 Cadillac XTS & $50,000 Raffle Suburban Cadillac Buick of Troy Troy, Michigan August 2, 2014 Walk With Me Detroit Detroit Zoo Royal Oak, Michigan August 3, 2014 Century 21 Town and Country 2014 Corvette & $50,000 Raffle John Bowman Chevrolet Clarkston, Michigan September 27, 2014