Meet Joey!

Confidence and Development Gained

Joey's contagious smile and gentle demeanor are two of the first things that come to mind when you ask his mom, Jennifer, about her son's best skills.

Six years ago, Joey and his family came to Easterseals MORC after a coworker of his mother, Jennifer, recommended the services that Easterseals MORC provides. Joey currently receives speech and language therapies, along with ABA services, at Easterseals MORC's Autism Comprehensive Care Center.

The excitement my son displays when arriving to session tells it all,” Jennifer said. “He’s made immense progress in areas of communication with AAC device, play skills, social interaction, and self-care.”

Jennifer explains that her son has been receiving services at Easterseals MORC for about six years and the progress that they are still seeing in her son’s development is remarkable.

"Joey is incredibly curious, nothing gets by him," Jennifer said. "He also loves playing with slime, playing catch with his dog, swinging, climbing, playing baseball, and anything that involves water."

Joey serves as one of our Easterseals MORC Ambassadors. He is an active young boy and is now thriving with the help and support of his team at Easterseals MORC and his family.

“We were super excited when Joey was asked to become an ambassador,” Jennifer said. “It is so refreshing to receive the patience & compassion from the people at Easterseals MORC.”

Joey recently began participating in Easterseals MORC Miracle League baseball and bowling adaptive programming. Easterseals MORC’s Miracle League began over 20 years ago, becoming Michigan’s first adaptive baseball field, in the heart of Southfield. Since then, the league has grown significantly, adding a new field in Orion Township in 2019 and now managing the Miracle League of Greater Flint field in Mundy Township. The program has also expanded beyond baseball, now offering bowling, hockey, and skating skills, adaptive fitness, fun social events, and family gatherings, with even more activities on the way. 

"It's been amazing to be involved with Easterseals MORC Miracle League over the past couple of years," Jennifer said. "It's allowed Joey to be active, learn the sports, and connect with his peers."

Members of Joey’s support team have been amazing to assist with Joey’s development and the support that they give to his family. One technician in particular has made the greatest impact on Joey's development.

"Ivory M. has been working with Joey for about four years," Jennifer said. "I have never met someone so passionate, selfless, and loving as Ivory. She not only works with my son at the center, but in her free time, she has also volunteered at nearly every Miracle League North Oakland baseball game over the past two seasons. Ivovry is a light that this world needs more."

Jennifer expressed immense gratitude she holds for Easterseals MORC and Miracle League of North Oakland. She explained how the support they have received over the past few years has made her family feel supported through everything life brings their way.

“Easterseals MORC is our village," Jennifer said. " They're like family. It didn't truly hit me until this spring when we attended the open house for the new center. It was at that moment when I realized how many people who make up our village where there, celebrating with us."