Easterseals selects Rehoboth woman as walk ambassador

When Litenia “Tina” Knight of Rehoboth Beach had a heart attack, it rocked the whole family. Knight was a very outgoing, social person who was active in the community. After Knight spent 13 minutes without oxygen, her daughter Ashley Knight did not know what to expect.

When Knight woke up, doctors discovered she had a brain injury and low vision. Knight wanted to remain a part of the community, and that is when she found Easterseals’ adult day program.

“When I walked into Easterseals, I saw a lot of people and it felt like family,” Knight said. “You know I love Easterseals, because I have been there five years!”

The Easterseals team is delighted to have Knight as this year’s ambassador for its 10th annual Walk With Me & 5K Fun Run Delmarva event, scheduled for 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2, at Baywood Greens in Long Neck.

While Knight enjoys dancing, companionship, exercising, painting, and other arts and crafts projects five days a week in the day program, Ashley is able to take online college classes, run errands, go to doctors’ appointments and care for her son. Along with the day program, Ashley also takes advantage of Easterseals’ personal attendant services so she can focus on caring for mom and son, and the respite program so she can care for herself as well.

“I’m glad I am able to take care of my family,” Ashley said. “Having Easterseals services means a lot for my mental health. It helps to have time to myself. As a caregiver, you can get overwhelmed and overworked. It is important to have time to restore myself and unwind. After all, ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup.’”

Funds raised through Walk With Me help Easterseals provide critically needed services to families living with disabilities in the local community.

To register, go to walkwithme.org/delmarva.

“We are so excited to be the ambassador family for this year’s event,” Ashley said. “My mom feels at home at Easterseals, and I know she is safe. We support each other. Easterseals is like family!”

For details, go to de.easterseals.com.