ALLENTOWN, Pa. — During Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania’s 100th anniversary luncheon, Jeffrey Heisey was thrilled to talk about his handicap.
In golf — it’s a seven.
At Lehigh Country Club on Wednesday, a day before celebrating his 50th birthday, Heisey tossed bouquets to all those responsible for addressing his challenges from cerebral palsy.
The condition affects movement, balance and posture and is caused by damage to the developing brain before, during or shortly after birth.
“Without the help I received from Easterseals from when I was diagnosed around two years old, I wouldn’t be where I am today."Jeffrey Heisey, 50, who received intervention for cerebral palsy as a child
Heisey credited his parents and sister, and the intervention he received at an early age from Easterseals.
“Without the help I received from Easterseals from when I was diagnosed around 2 years old, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Heisey, a businessman who resides in Douglassville, Berks County.
“Easterseals is the organization I went to every day in Reading for physical therapy. I learned all kinds of things there, especially from my therapist, Dolores Bertoti.
"Without them, life wouldn’t be as good as it is now. The biggest thing is, Easterseals gave me confidence and taught me that if you fail, you get up and try again.”
An incredible example
Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania creates life-changing solutions for individuals with disabilities and their families by increasing independence, maximizing opportunities, minimizing barriers and enhancing quality of life.
Easterseals services include infant and toddler development, child development support, outpatient therapy and specialty medical clinics for autism diagnosis and orthopedic and orthotic conditions.
Also, adult community-based support, employment services, day and residential camps and evening recreation.
Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania Chief Executive Officer Mindy L. McCormick cited Heisey as an incredible example of the benefits of personal hard work and organizational support.
“Aside from Dolores helping Jeff is this: In her final board meeting, she got to vote Jeff in as a member of our board of directors,” McCormick said.
Proclamations marking the organization’s 100th anniversary were presented by Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure and Edward Hozza, a representative from Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong’s office.
Prior to addressing the attendees from the podium, Heisey discussed his challenges with cerebral palsy.
'All that I've done'
Heisey said his parents detected something amiss when, as a toddler, he walked only on tiptoes.
After he was diagnosed, Heisey’s parents were advised to contact Easterseals for intervention.
There, the boy was taught how to improve his gait.
"Easterseals helped me learn to walk again. I just don’t know where I’d be without them."Jeffrey Heisey, 50, who received intervention for cerebral palsy as a child
“I had my first of two surgeries at 5, when doctors cut my hamstrings to help stretch out my leg muscles to get more flexibility,” Heisey said.
“After that, Easterseals helped me learn to walk again. I just don’t know where I’d be without them. I knew I would not have been able to do all that I’ve done.”
Heisey is a martial arts black belt.
He was a baseball pitcher.
A soccer goalie.
A varsity wrestler.
He visited Russia on an ambassadorship in high school.
He got a business degree from Slippery Rock University.
Better, perhaps, to ask what Heisey hasn't done.
'Not going to treat this kid as a handicap'
A great deal of credit for those achievements, Heisey said, goes to his mother and father, Brien, who was in attendance at the luncheon with his sister, Teri Nytz.
“I asked my father at a very young age why God did this to me,” Heisey said. “My father said, ‘Jeff, God would never give you something that you cannot overcome.’"
Brian Heisey saw his son as any other father would view their son.
"But it’s also about how determined Jeff was and is. Nothing was ever going to stop him.”Brien Heisey, Jeff Heisey's father
“I remember the first day his mother and I took Jeff to Easterseals,” he said. “We agreed right there we were not going to treat this kid as a handicap.
“But it’s also a credit to Jeff, who never saw a barrier. If he wanted to do something, he’d find a way to do it. Easterseals has a lot to do with that.
"But it’s also about how determined Jeff was and is.
“Nothing was ever going to stop him.”
For more information about Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania services, go to www.easterseals.com/esep, email info@esep.org or phone 610-289-0114.
