Easter Seals Disability Services

The Story of Easter Seals

GJ & his mom are part of the Easter Seals family

Edgar Allen, an Elyria, Ohio businessman, founded the forerunner of the Easter Seals we know today in 1919, after his son was killed in a streetcar accident.  The lack of adequate medical services to save his son's life motivated him to create, with the help of Rotary clubs, the first organization dedicated to help children with disabilities, the Ohio Society for Crippled Children.  This movement gradually spread throughout the United States, and the organization became the National Society for Crippled Children.

In 1933, Paul H. King succeeded Allen as president.  Under King's leadership, in the spring of 1934, the National Society for Crippled Children launched an experimental campaign that involved designing seals, or stamps, with an Easter theme to draw attention and support for children with disabilities. To King, spring  meant "...resurrection and new life, and certainly the rehabilitation of crippled children means new life and activity...physically, mentally, and spiritually."  Please note that today, Easter Seals has no religious affiliation.  We have employees, consumers, contributors, and volunteers of all faiths and backgrounds.

In 1944, the words "and Adults" were added to the name because serving adults had become an increasingly important part of the organization's mission.

More significant changes followed.  Because the Easter-themed seals were tremendously successful in raising both funds and awareness,  in 1967, the words "Easter Seal" were incorporated in the name.  The organization was then called "Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children and Adults."

Over time, the term "crippled" became antiquated, and in 1979, the words "for Crippled Children and Adults" were dropped.

Today, Easter Seals Central and Southeast Ohio, Inc. is one of 95 affiliates of what has become National Easter Seals, with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.  Easter Seals Central and Southeast Ohio, Inc. serves children and adults with disabilities in 28 central and southeastern Ohio counties and Wood County, West Virginia.

Read about Easter Seals past and present in this article published in the August 28, 2009 Business First.

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