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Partners & Friends
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Meet Jessica
In September 2008, Easter Seals North Texas client Jessica Segal was selected as the 2009 National Adult Representative for Easter Seals. During 2009, she will travel around the country sharing her Easter Seals success story. Join Easter Seals North Texas as Jessica takes us along on her 12 month journey to educate and inspire others with her story. Her Story
Jessica's reaction to being named the the 2009 National Adult Representative: A Texan With Character Jessica says, "Being a Texan with Character was really cool but a little odd for me. I don’t see my life as anything special. I’ve been in therapy and in a chair since I was about two so I don’t know anything else. As Luke would say, I’m a product of evolution and have adapted to my way of living."
Watch Jessica on CBS 11's Texans with Character Segment
Jessica says, "The photo and video shoot was crazy. They wanted to see me in school, therapy and at home so I had to combine a school and therapy day which I never do. So I was really tired by the time everyone left. But it was nice to meet everyone and I think the video came out great."
On October 14th, Jessica had her senior fashion show at the Dallas Institute of Art and Easter Seals was there to cheer her on. Jessica makes children's clothes. She started by embroidering as part of her therapy at Easter Seals. Jessica says, "The fashion show was amazing and a really big adrenalin high to be out there with my designs. Being a fashion major is a ton of hard work, we started out with about 35 students per class and ended with about 6 but the show is definitely an ultimate pay off."
Class of 2008
Walk With Jessica
MAY Hats Off To You! On May 6, Jessica and her mother attended Easter Seals North Texas' 8th Annual Hats Off to Mothers Luncheon. Jessica was a guest of honor as luncheon attendees watched her video that was shot last year as part of her National Representative photo and video shoot (See October entry).Just a few days earlier, Jessica was in Denver, Colorado for the Easter Seals National Convention. Most of the places I go with Easter Seals I have never been to before. Getting to the destination is always fun. I love new things. People know me and I have absolutely no clue who they are. I love meeting them! So it’s always fun to go to these conferences.
On September 19th, Jessica, along with fiance Luke and mom Katherine, joined us for the 11th Annual Century 21 Judge Fite Dinner Gala. Jessica was again an honored guest and Gala attendees were treated to Jessica’s Adult Representative video.
OCTOBER Jessica Goes to Washington
On October 20, Jessica along with an Easter Seals delegation paid a visit to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to talk about the benefits of health reform for children. Jessica talked about her accident at 18 months of age. She has worked so hard every day since to be as independent as possible most recently graduating with a degree in design from the Dallas Institute of Art and now just a couple weeks from her wedding day. Jessica also spoke on the challenge of turning 21. Most of her health needs were taken care of with the coverage she had as a child. But now, upon turning 21, everything has changed. She can’t get her own insurance coverage because of her pre-existing condition. Jessica told the group how her needs are the same as they were as a child she needs physical therapy, twice a week (that she receives at Easter Seals North Texas) to maintain her strength and movement. She needs to drink 4 cans of Ensure every day to maintain her weight. These are things that are no longer covered. Finally, Jessica informed the audience on how she’s worked so hard to get where she is today and has high hopes for her future. She’s just concerned that health and insurance coverage issues could keep her from getting where she wants to go. |
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Jessica is an independent, outgoing 21 year old. At just 21 months old, she was involved in a car accident. After incurring a head injury, a spinal cord injury, and having had a heart attack, Jessica was in a coma for nearly six weeks. The prognosis was grim and the decision was made to take her off the ventilator that was sustaining her. Remarkably, Jessica says, “Once they unplugged the ventilator, that’s when I took my first breath.” 
after being discharged from the hospital. Throughout her childhood, Easter Seals was a part of Jessica’s life as she relearned how to hold her head up, sit, stand, walk, and perform her daily activities independently.
Strike a pose!
DECEMBER 2008
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Easter Seals North Texas, 1424 Hemphill Street, Fort Worth, TX 76104-4703
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