Setting Jaxon up for Success With Holistic Care

Kim wants you to know that Easterseals offers more than just therapeutic interventions. Easterseals offers a supportive community.

She underscores that Easterseals has been a second family. She appreciates the holistic approach they’ve taken with her son, Jaxon. She sees Easterseals as a family that exhausts all avenues to find solutions for individuals with disabilities. “Easterseals is ... where you come back to. You can take a deep breath. Relax. And just know that you’re not judged by anything,” Kim says.

Jaxon has many dreams and aspirations. He says, “Everybody’s different in their own way, but it doesn’t mean that ... you can’t be smart, or you can’t do something just because you’re different.” Kim is in awe of his determination to achieve his goals, including gaining independence in daily activities like preparing meals. Kim’s an expert when it comes to her children, and she knows cerebral palsy’s impact on muscle stiffness as Jaxon ages. She says he works hard now, understanding the likelihood of increased support needs.

You won’t be surprised to learn that Jaxon is ambitious—he aspires to attend college, obtain a degree, and even become the president. Kim’s often amazed by how much Jaxon already knows and she has no doubt he can excel in any path he chooses. “I feel like he could do anything he sets his mind to. I would love for him to just get out in the world and enjoy life and find his group ... and enjoy just being who he is and just being confident in who he is.”

Kim lovingly describes Jaxon as goofy, loving, and determined. She shares the joy of witnessing his achievements and expresses admiration for his resilience. Kim believes Jaxon's unique qualities make him exceptional, and she encourages him to embrace his individuality with confidence. For Jaxon and other kids with disabilities, she says, “They can do what they set their mind to. If they have goals, they can accomplish those goals ... They can be independent. They can be driven. It can all happen, and it is possible.”

Kim is focused on building a more welcoming world for Jaxon and other people with disabilities. She stresses the need for accessibility and supportive spaces and uses her platform on social media and in the community to share personal stories. She often shares about their experience with non-accessible venues and how acceptance and community can benefit everyone when we make this a continuous, thoughtful effort rather than an afterthought.