Carmen, a mother to two teenagers (Lauryn and Richard) and twins Joshua and Justin, now 5, was struggling to survive. The twins were both diagnosed with severe autism and Joshua suffers from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which sometimes leaves him immobile. She was forced to quit her job to provide 24/7 care for the twins…and to escape her abusive 10-year marriage when the babies were just four months old.

Subsisting on welfare and money from babysitting four additional children—she ultimately ended up living in a single hotel room with her mother and the kids. The family was in crisis.

When Easterseals came into my life, it was in shambles” says Carmen. “I would fall asleep with my phone in my hand looking for help. But (my Easterseals Community Support Coordinator) believed in me and listened to me. My coordinator said, “Here’s what you’re going to do…and here’s what I’m going to do. Just take care of one thing on your to do list today.’”

The “to do list” included Easterseals helping Carmen to get the twins appropriate medical care; identifying appropriate health care providers; getting behavior services; coordinating with the Regional Center and Department of Children and Family Services and streamlining communication across all entities; and securing financial support from IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services), enabling Carmen to create stability for her family by enabling her to rent an apartment.

And while the boys still have a long way to go, Carmen finds joy in each step forward. “Easterseals helped me turn my life around. We’re very grateful,” she says. “It’s hard being a mom of kids with special needs. It has been a life-changing experience for my whole family. I got to see how strong I am,” she says.