He Amazes Us Every Day . . . Easton French Early Intervention Easton French started walking three weeks ago. “We’ve been waiting for this and thought it would never come,” says Keri of her 1-year-old son who was born 10 weeks prematurely after complications with her pregnancy became life threatening to both of them.

“I kept asking if he was going to live being born so early. I didn’t realize how bad it was for me too,” recalls Keri. “I didn’t have time to be scared it happened so fast.”

In the moment’s following Easton’s birth by emergency c-section, Keri and husband Levi just wanted to hear him cry. They will never forget hearing that tiny sound because it gave them the hope they desperately needed.

At three pounds, Easton was one of the bigger babies in the NICU—a place that would be his home for the next 5 weeks. Luckily, before Easton was born, doctors were able to give Keri two doses of Surfactant which helps to develop the lungs of premature babies. It worked, because although Easton experienced digestion issues, there were no signs of respiratory issues.

Within days of returning home, Keri received a call from Easter Seals Rhode Island’s Early Intervention program about doing an evaluation on Easton. Keri, who “needed all the help and support I could get,” enthusiastically agreed. Help came in the form of Easter Seals Early Childhood Educator Sarah Pyne who wanted to make sure, that given his premature birth, Easton was developmentally at the age equivalent of a newborn.

“He was doing amazingly well,” she says, “There were just little things like tightness in his ankles so we started physical therapy and stretches early on. Easton did so well because his parents followed through on every little thing we’d recommend.”

But, Sarah provided more than physical therapy.

“I felt a level of comfort and my anxiety went down knowing I had a professional helping me out,” says Keri. “I had questions for Sarah about everything. She monitored his progress for me and pointed out improvements every time.”

In addition to regular visits from Sarah, Easton participates in an Easter Seals pool program which uses the sensory experience of water to facilitate motor, social and language development. It has become a family activity with Levi, grandma and other loved ones hopping in the pool with him. This happy, social little boy fits in perfectly with his active family. He loves anything that makes noise, grilled cheese sandwiches and throwing balls. He has shown his parents the value of spending time with a child.

“Easton has taught us that nothing is ever going to be perfect and that everything happens for a reason,” says Keri. “We’ve also learned that it doesn’t matter what issues a child has, Easter Seals will be there through anything.”

Click here to learn more about Easter Seals Early Intervention services.