Easter Seals Disability Services

Rose Petterson is always there for her neighbors in her senior housing complex. They count on her for help with taking out the garbage and collecting the mail. Rose is always ready with a joke and they all love her cooking—especially her peanut butter balls. “I just like to be there for them,” says Rose, age 78. “Getting a person to smile once a day is better than any pill.”

These days Rose is finding lots to smile about when it comes to Easter Seals NH’s Special Transit Service. STS is a transportation company with 80 specially-equipped vehicle that provides 3,000 individuals with about 300,000 rides (covering more than 2 million miles) each year. Rose has relied on STS to get her where she needs to go and help her stay connected to her community since she gave up driving several years ago.

Rose is extremely active and walks 1-2 hours a day but is the first to admit that if her feet can’t take her where she needs to go, she knows STS will. Rose calls on STS several times a month for rides to hair appointments, the bank, the grocery store, doctor visits, and the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions.

“I believe in my heart that I don’t know what I would do without them,” says Rose. “The drivers always pick me up on time and greet me with a smile. They feel like family.”

And Rose knows about family—she has eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren! She is fortunate to have four grown children who live locally. They are there for her when she needs them but her goal is to maintain her independence by doing things on her own and STS helps her do that easily.

A ride is always just a phone call away. And although the ride gets Rose where she needs to go, she is more thankful for the peace of mind STS gives her.

“I haven’t worried about going anywhere since I found STS,” says Rose. “When I go to a doctor appointment I know STS is waiting for me downstairs. They won’t leave without me and that makes me feel safe and secure.”

Rose has diabetes and enjoys walking to her regular blood work appointment but says “I know there will be a day when I can’t walk it and STS will be there for me. I don’t consider STS to be just transportation—they are like friends,” says Rose. “They are there for you when your family isn’t able to be there.”