For the past three years, Easterseals has been a cornerstone in the lives of Gabbie Bowser and her family. Gabbie's journey with Easterseals began with our PEERs program, where she learned invaluable friendship-building and social skills. “Practice the Pause” and “Tease the Teaser” have become common household language in the Bowser home, thanks to the strategies that the PEERs program has taught to Gabbie and her parents. Kris Krieger, was the parent coach for the Bowsers’ PEERs group. She quickly became a pivotal figure in the Bowsers’ lives.
When the “Plan A” post-secondary education plan got put on hold for Gabbie, Kristen, Gabbie's mother, felt they had reached an impasse and needed help. She turned to Kris for guidance and help with a “Plan B”. Kris introduced her to a range of Easterseals services, starting with an introduction and meeting with a Family Navigator, who outlined more great options for Gabbie. In addition to taking courses at St. Louis Community College, Gabbie will be joining our LINK program. Designed specifically for young adults with autism, LINK helps these young adults transition smoothly from school to the workforce by teaching essential social and job skills. Gabbie is excited about this new opportunity. She will begin the LINK program along with her college classes in the Fall.
Kris then also suggested our transformative Caregiver Training. Kristen was skeptical on whether the Caregiver Training could possibly help, as Gabbie was now 18 years old. Kris responded by assuring Kristen that there is always opportunity to add strategies and coaching to all parent/child relationships. It is never too late. Caregiver Training is not only about teaching the child/young adult new skills, but about teaching the entire family how to best understand their loved one and how to support their needs. Kris became their Family Coach and meets with the Bowsers on a weekly basis. Kristen says, “Albeit late, we joined the party. I do wish we had found Easterseals when Gabbie was younger, and we are so thankful to have them in our lives now. Our family including our 21-year-old neurotypical son, have all become more aware of how to interact, be proactive, and react to each other in more positive effective ways.”
Inspired by the profound impact Easterseals has had on their lives, Kristen has joined the Women's Giving Collective, a group of women leaders dedicated to supporting Easterseals' mission and shaping its future through grants for special projects benefiting individuals with disabilities. For Kristen, joining this group was an obvious choice. “The benefits of all proposed and funded projects have an immediate direct impact on the community they serve. Getting to have a voice in these projects is such a privilege and honor,” Kristen says.
This past spring, Gabbie celebrated a significant milestone by graduating from Marquette High School. She marked this achievement with family, friends, and the Easterseals’ community. Gabbie is enjoying a fun-filled summer attending camp, volunteering at Vacation Bible School, participating in dance, and spending time with loved ones before embarking on the next chapter of her life.
With Gabbie's drive and vibrant energy, combined with the skills she continues to learn from Kris and the Easterseals team, her future is incredibly bright. As she steps into this promising new chapter, Gabbie and her family remain grateful for the unwavering support and opportunities provided by Easterseals. Their journey is a testament to the positive change that a dedicated community can bring, and they look forward to continuing this partnership on the path to an even brighter future.
