TH's journey with Easterseals West Kentucky began when he was just three years old. What started as early intervention has blossomed into a lifelong partnership filled with learning, growth, and love. Now at 41, TH has spent nearly his entire life surrounded by the people at Easterseals who have become an extension of his family.
"Easterseals has been such a help to us throughout the years. TH has learned so much with their help. I've watched him grow in so many areas because of the patience of the employees who worked with him. They have all been supportive, even in personal matters."
The connection between TH and Easterseals has carried him through life's greatest challenges. When his mother passed away, TH made a decision that spoke volumes about where he feels most at home: he chose to go to the center the very next day. Surrounded by friends and staff who love him, TH found comfort, stability, and strength. Later, when he lost an aunt he was very close to, it was Easterseals who once again stood beside him, guiding him through his grief with care and compassion.
"They helped him through his grief both times—with the loss of his mom and his aunt. Without their help, I wouldn't have been able to take in all six of my other grandchildren when they lost their mom in a car accident. Easterseals gave TH the support he needed, which gave me the strength to be there for the rest of my family."
But Easterseals has not only walks with TH in sorrow—it has been a place where he has thrived. Over the last 30+ years, staff members have encouraged TH to pursue employment, building his independence and boosting his self-esteem. They introduced him to Special Olympics, where he has become a true athlete, competing in every sport offered: bowling, basketball, track and field, softball, and flag football. Each new opportunity helped TH discovery his abilities, his confidence, and his joy.
For TH, Easterseals is not just a program. It is the constant that has carried him through childhood into adulthood, through heartbreak and healing, through growth and discovery. It is the reason he still wakes up excited every morning, ready to go to the center.
TH's story is proof that Easterseals West Kentucky is not simply a place where services are provided—it is a home, a community, and a family. For more than 38 years, it has been a steady force helping TH live his fullest life.
