#easterseals

(via Angela Williams becomes first African American woman to lead Easterseals)

Debbie Joseph of Wheeling brings an attitude of gratitude to everything she does when it comes to Easterseals Rehabilitation Center.  On Tuesday, June 2, Easterseals is showing its appreciation in return by dedicating a new bench at the Wheeling Splash Pad in honor of Debbie and her 40-plus years of helping children with disabilities served by Easterseals. “I was just so grateful when our daughter Kristen was born,” Joseph said of her and husband Dr. Daniel Joseph’s oldest daughter, Kristen Cox of Wheeling. “I decided I wanted to show my gratitude by helping the children and families served by Easterseals, so I started volunteering at the center. I would get down on the floor and play with the kids and help the therapists in any way they needed.” Two years later, she became pregnant with triplets. For safety's sake, Debbie's obstetrician put an end to her “rolling around on the floor” with kids. The next few years were "a blur," but once the triplets were toddlers, Easterseals' then-Executive Director Rosemary Front called Debbie to fill an opening on the board of directors. Getting out of the house for a while sounded like a good idea to Debbie at the time.  The bench was installed just in time for Easterseals' new fundraising event from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Wheeling Heritage Port. That was 40 years ago, and Debbie still serves on the board as secretary. She also is an Easterseals parent and grandparent, whose children and a grandchild received services. When Debbie and Dan took up the hobby of vintage boat racing and founded the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta, Debbie said it was a “no-brainer” to donate event proceeds to Easteseals.  Over the event's 16 years, the regatta donated more than $115,000 to Easterseals.  "Few people have had the lasting impact on Easterseals that Debbie Joseph has. Through the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta and her decades of service on our board of directors, Debbie helped create opportunities for thousands of children to receive healthcare they might not otherwise have received. We are incredibly grateful for her unwavering commitment to our mission," Easterseals President and CEO Eric Filberto said. "I am genuinely overwhelmed at having a bench dedicated in my name and Dan’s at Heritage Port," Debbie said. "Easterseals has taught me that every person deserves to be seen, supported, celebrated and included. This bench really represents every child who kept going when it was hard and every staff member who showed up with their whole heart to support them. It is a true honor to receive this recognition from an organization that has been such an important part of my life." This is the second bench Easterseals has donated to the city's splash pad. Easterseals earned both benches for free from the Trex Community Recycling Program, which awarded a bench for each 1,000 pounds of plastic bags collected in a year.  “Thanks to our staff, community members, and the Ohio County Virtual Lions Club, which facilitated the recycling project, we turned in 1 ton of plastic to Trex in two years, earning a bench each year," Easterseals marketing and development director Betsy Bethel-McFarland said. "The first bench was dedicated to our beloved medical director Dr. Ellen Kitts, who retired last year. We wanted to honor Debbie's long-time commitment to Easterseals and the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta with a bench at Wheeling Heritage Port, the former site of the regatta," Bethel-McFarland said.  Debbie and Dan passed the regatta torch to the New Martinsville Vintage Regatta, which moved its established event from July to Labor Day weekend, which is when the Wheeling event was held. As part of the hand-off, New Martinsville also has agreed to share proceeds with Easterseals. Eastereals staff and board members, Wheeling city officials, Lions Club representatives and Debbie’s family have been invited to the dedication ceremony.  The bench was installed just in time for Easterseals' new fundraising event from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Wheeling Heritage Port. The second annual Ohio River Splashtacular includes two water ski shows on the river, water- and science-related children's activities, a grand prize raffle, basket raffle, food trucks, and more.  Read the full article

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WHEELING — It’s one instance where icy surfaces are not just acceptable but an absolute must. The fifth annual Inclusion on Ice will glide into Wheeling Park Memorial Ice Rink from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8. The event is free and open to the public. Organizers encourage people of all ages and abilities to come out and skate, whether it’s their first or 500th time on the ice. Volunteers, including Wheeling Nailers players, will be on hand to assist anyone who needs help on the ice, whether children, adults or people in wheelchairs. Adaptive equipment will be available, including walkers and hockey sleds. In addition to the free public skate, participants can enjoy other free items and activities, including face painting, Selfie Snaps selfie station, inflatables from Tripp’s Fun Zone, hot chocolate from the Wheeling Park concession, a donut from So Nuts for Donuts and a sensory room set up by Augusta Levy Behavioral Services. Patty Patrick and Isaac Patrick assist Aidan Patrick on the ice at the 2025 Inclusion on Ice event at Wheeling Park Ice Rink. The fifth annual event will take place 1-4 p.m. Feb. 8. Over 20 local businesses and organizations will offer information and free activities at the community resource fair, including the Miracle League, Arc of Ohio-East, West Liberty University Disability Awareness Club, Stone Martial Arts and Wheeling Country Day School. “We are excited to partner with Augusta Levy Behavioral Services, the Wheeling Nailers, local disabilities advocate David George, and all our sponsors and volunteers to bring the fifth annual Inclusion on Ice to Wheeling Park,” Betsy Bethel-McFarland, Easterseals marketing director, said. “We already have over 140 people registered. Last year, we saw between 400 and 500 folks show up to skate and take part in all the free activities.” Registration is encouraged but not required, she added. The event began in 2022 as a way for Augusta Levy and Easterseals, both nonprofits who serve children with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities and delays, to give back to the community and provide an opportunity for people to try something new. "We are so honored to collaborate with Easterseals and the Wheeling Nailers in a joint effort to support individuals with disabilities. Our hope with Inclusion on Ice is to create equal opportunities for everyone to benefit from hockey’s positive impacts, help reduce stigma and strengthen Wheeling’s identity as a supportive place for all individuals to thrive,” Augusta Levy CEO Angie Wood said. David George of Wheeling, author of “Be Unique, Be You & Live!”, is a hockey fan and avid music lover, particularly of The Who’s “Tommy,” and he played with the Wheeling Area Hockey Association as a youngster. He was inspired to start Inclusion on Ice, in part, after being introduced to special hockey organizations in Pittsburgh. He approached Easterseals, Augusta Levy and the Wheeling Nailers to create the event. “As each year has gone by, we have seen an increase in the number of participants attend our event from different age brackets who make it obvious that they are enjoying themselves as they engage with others in the community that they live in,” George said. Every year, the Wheeling Nailers asks a few players to volunteer their time at the event. Community relations director D.J. Abisalih said he has no trouble finding recruits. Last year, Nailers goalie Taylor Gauthier struck up a friendship with a young girl with cerebral palsy, Emma Waldron, and they are looking forward to skating together again this year. “One of the biggest reasons why the Wheeling Nailers are heavily involved in the community is so that fans can get to know the players as people, rather than just names and numbers on a roster. It brings a smile to everyone's face, seeing the friendship that Taylor Gauthier and the Waldron family have created, and it's very special to think that it all started thanks to Inclusion on Ice. The Nailers organization is extremely proud to celebrate five years of one of the most impactful community events that the team supports,” Abisalih said. The event wouldn’t be possible without volunteers such as the Nailers, Easterseals and Augusta Levy staff, and members of the Laborors’ Union Local 1149, who are among volunteers who help ensure people enter and exit the ice safely. High school hockey players from The Linsly School, Wheeling Central Catholic High School and Wheeling Park High School also are expected to help out this year. Title sponsors are the Encova Foundation of West Virginia, Regional Economic Development Partnership, Oglebay Foundation and Wheeling Park Commission. MVP sponsors include the city of Wheeling, Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal, Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration and WesBanco. “This event ensures that individuals of all abilities have the opportunity to experience the joy, freedom, and confidence that comes with ice skating — an activity that should be available to everyone,” said Wheeling Park director Nat Goudy. “Inclusion on Ice also strengthens our community by bringing families, caregivers, and participants together in a shared space of encouragement and celebration.” For more information, call 304-242-1390 or visit the Easterseals Facebook page or website, www.wv.easterseals.com. Read the full article

Moderated by Darrien Michele Gipson (SAGindie Executive Director)

Easterseals Rehabilitation Center’s Sensory-Friendly Sunday Matinee Series presents “The Muppets Christmas Carol,” rated G 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16  Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre and Cinema, 2118 Market St., Wheeling, WV Free admission. Free popcorn. Sponsored by Lynn Hetzel. Register on the Facebook Event or at www.wv.easterseals.com. Read the full article

Wheeling Hospital pediatrician also will treat at nonprofit WHEELING  —  Easterseals Rehabilitation Center welcomes Dr. David Mosman as its new medical director, succeeding Dr. Ellen Kitts, who retired in July.  The Easterseals medical department serves children and adolescents with autism, ADHD,  behavioral challenges, developmental delays, and complex medical needs. Mosman has entered into a contract with Easterseals to see clients there one to two days a week. He will continue seeing patients at his busy WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital practice, which is not affected by his new responsibilities at Easterseals. Dr. David Mosman The new Easterseals medical team includes Mosman’s wife, physician assistant Amanda Mosman, and support staff. They will provide individualized treatment plans, which may include on-site medical rehabilitation therapies and medication management for a variety of behavioral and medical disorders, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. They also are part of the multidisciplinary autism evaluation team and will interpret diagnostic reports.  Easterseals is a nonprofit pediatric outpatient medical and medical rehabilitation center with a mission of creating life-changing solutions for children with developmental delays and disabilities. The center accepts all insurances, but no one is turned away for inability to pay. Easterseals’ mission is made possible through support from the community and charitable foundations, such as the Ann Sonneborn Foundation and Kalkreuth Charities.  “Throughout our careers, we have seen firsthand how early, compassionate intervention can change the entire trajectory of a child’s life. Easterseals provides a unique opportunity to serve children with developmental, behavioral and emotional challenges in a supportive, family-centered environment. It is an organization built on hope, inclusion and empowerment — values that are deeply personal to us,” David Mosman said. Physician assistant Amanda Mosman Kitts, who was Easterseals’ first and only medical director since 1988, was a physiatrist who expanded her practice in recent years to see more children with ADHD and autism in response to the need. “The percentage of our medical clients with ADHD and autism has skyrocketed from 10% to 65% in three years. If you include other behavioral disorders, such as anxiety and depression, that percentage climbs to 75%,” Easterseals marketing director Betsy Bethel-McFarland said.  Easterseals remains dedicated to providing medical care to children with physical disabilities. Those clients are treated by pediatric physiatrist Dr. Jason Edinger from UPMC Children’s, who travels to Easterseals once a month. Dr. Kitts’ former adult clients have been referred to other physiatrists. “We’re proud to name Dr. Mosman as medical director and welcome him and Amanda Mosman to Easterseals,” President and CEO Eric Filberto said. “Their unmatched local expertise and commitment to addressing the growing behavioral health needs of children reflect their service-minded approach to health care.” “Easterseals is a place where families find not only expert care but also understanding, encouragement, and community,” Amanda Mosman said. “By working hand in hand with families, therapists and educators, we aim to help each child reach their fullest potential while easing the burden that so many families face navigating these challenges alone.” David Mosman is a board-certified pediatrician with more than 25 years of experience. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College of Virginia, he completed his pediatric residency and served as chief resident at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia.  Since 2004, he has served at WVU Medicine’s Wheeling Hospital, where he provides both inpatient and outpatient care and mentors future clinicians.  Amanda Mosman is a nationally certified physician assistant with nearly 20 years of pediatric experience and currently practices at WVU Medicine at Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale, where she will continue to see patients in addition to her new role at Easterseals. “We believe strongly in Easterseals’ mission and are honored to be part of a nonprofit organization that puts children and families at the heart of everything it does,” David Mosman said. A doctor’s referral is required to receive medical services and outpatient medical rehabilitation services at Easterseals. For information, visit www.wv.easterseals.com. Read the full article