My sister Cookie
CEO Mike Pelfini: I’m number 3 of 5 kids. Theresa was one of my older sisters…we called her “Cookie”. Cookie graced our family but briefly, as she developed within her first 12 months a severely disabling neurological condition that eventually took her life.
Best memory: laying on our backs on either side of Cookie…Sue calls her name—Cookie! Then I call her—Cookie!…each of us taking turns grabbing her attention…back and forth she turns her head until…she laughs out loud!
Confusion: I also remember wondering…Why did my folks appear perpetually worried? Why did mom seem soooo tired…all the time? Everything else—the trips to the doctors…the whicker-backed wheelchair…the socks on her hands to protect them from her own biting…and, towards the latter part of Cookie’s life, the machinery used for the gastro-tube at meal times—seemed normal…just part of our family routine. I had no idea then how isolated and cut-off from answers and hope that my parents felt, trying to provide for Cookie, having had no prior experience or knowledge as helpful guides.
Not Alone: I’ve learned that my experience in a family affected by disability is not so uncommon. The 2000 US Census found that about 2 in every 7 of the over 72 million families surveyed reported having at least one member with a disability. And, according to data released two months ago by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 110 children born in America has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While there is currently no known cause or cure for ASD, we do know that ASD is treatable.
Enter Easter Seals Bay Area. Easter Seals is in the business of helping children and families right when, where, and how they need help most acutely.
Big Announcement: We’re pleased to be hosting an Autism Community Forum on February 5, 2010, and are very excited about the quality of the speakers and stakeholders whom we are convening for this event. Leading autism experts and advocates will come together to share information on identifying, understanding and implementing innovative, evidence-based autism treatments for children diagnosed with ASD.
Answers, help…and abiding hope are accessible every day at Easter Seals Bay Area. Join the journey by visiting www.bayarea.easterseals.com right now!
To be continued…
Michael Pelfini, Ed. D.
President and CEO
Easter Seals Bay Area
mpelfini@esba.org
January 25, 2010
Leading the way to ensure individuals and families affected by disabilities can live, learn, work, and play to their full potential.
