For details about specific Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador programs and services, call 754-1399, e-mail info@easterseals.nf.ca or visit www.easterseals.nf.ca.

Children with physical disabilities face many challenges in life.  There are more than 2,500 such children in Newfoundland and Labrador, whose disabilities include spina bifida, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, amputation due to disease or accident, and any other condition that seriously restricts a child’s mobility.  Their conditions vary widely and every child has their own goals and dreams and ambitions, yet they each face the same physical barriers that make it a little more difficult to reach their full potential.

Easter Seals works to remove these barriers. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Easter Seals is the leading organization among only a very few charities serving children with physical disabilities.  Outside of government, Easter Seals serves more children than any other organization in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the only organization offering summer camps along with a full range of therapeutic recreation programs.

Easter Seals has expanded its program and service delivery across the province over the last three years. From serving less than 100 children in 2002 to more than 300 now, Easter Seals has grown significantly. This growth is continuing, as demand for Easter Seals services shows no sign of slowing down. This is not a surprise, given that there are thousands of children in this province who must cope with mobility challenges.

Easter Seals is there for these kids and their families.  Our programs and services enrich the lives of physically disabled children throughout our province.  Easter Seals kids experience summer camps, sailing, skiing, sledge hockey, sea kayaking, rock climbing and much more.  The activities not only help the children build confidence, physical strength and self-esteem, but allow them to just have fun.  There’s nothing quite like hearing the squeals of laughter at an Easter Seals summer camp, or seeing the kids sailing their specially-adapted sailboats on the bay.

Easter Seals also helps families deal with the financial challenges they face.  Wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, ramps, leg braces, specialized computers, home adaptation devices, bikes, sleds and more … all given to families through our Equipment Exchange and Direct Assistance Programs.  We’re also there to help these children as they get older and make their transition from school to the workforce.  Our Horizons Program provides lifestyle, generic skills and vocational training, and paid work placements.