My daughters, Lilah and Tina, came to us through foster care as infants. Early exposure to drugs and alcohol led to developmental delays that made childhood—and especially adolescence—a struggle. By the time they were 11 and 14, the challenges had become overwhelming. One daughter was hospitalized in a behavioral health facility; both were consumed by anger, and we, as parents, were desperate for answers.
Then we found Easterseals Blake Foundation (EBF). Their integrated therapy and psychiatry team helped us make sense of our girls' emotional needs. Tina was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and began to thrive at Empire High School. Lilah, diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, finally found effective treatment for her anxiety and depression after a long and patient journey.
As parents, we were taught to understand emotional age, not just physical age—and it changed how we parent. Today, both girls are more secure, emotionally resilient, and better able to handle life’s ups and downs.
Had services like those at EBF been available earlier, much suffering might have been spared. But today, thanks to EBF, my daughters have a strong foundation and real hope for the future.
— Torrey Thatcher, Father