Community Stories

Michael was born in Puerto Rico. He was adopted by his grandmother and moved to the U.S. when he was just a baby. Read more about his story here.

The Campos family were elated to learn they were pregnant with their son, Mario. They excitedly prepared their lives for their new addition when they learned that their unborn son had spina bifida, a rare condition in which the spinal cord fails to develop or close while in the womb. Read more about his story here.

As a child Jessie experienced many years of abuse, both with his family and in foster care. After the death of his mother, Jessie turned to a life of crime, drugs, and gangs which led to a drive by shooting that killed his father and severely injured Jessie. Read more about his story here.

Elizabeth was born with cerebral palsy, a group of movement disorders that limit her mobility. Read more about her story here!

When April was 14 months old, she was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a degenerative muscle disease causing impaired mobility and activities of daily living, eating difficulties, difficulty breathing, eating and chronic respiratory insufficiency. Read more about her story here.

Alex was diagnosed with autism at a very young age. He was a happy and loving baby, but did not meet his physical milestones. He took his first steps on his second birthday after an entire summer of physical therapy. Read more about his story!

Cassidy was born 3 ½ months prematurely and only weighed 1 pound, 5 ounces. From the very start she was a fighter. Read more about her story here!

In 1967, Peggy McWhirter, the founder and longtime director of the Easterseals MORC location in Genesee County chose Penny Metcalfe as the child ambassador. Read more about her story here!

On Saturdays at the Miracle League of North Oakland, Johnny and his teammates are the MVPs of the game. Johnny, who has Down Syndrome, gets to showcase his development and highlight his big personality, while playing the game he loves. Read more about his story here!