Tragedy Leads to Inspiration. In 1907, Edgar Allen lost his son in a streetcar accident. The lack of adequate medical services available to save his son prompted Allen to fundraise and build a hospital in his hometown. Through this new hospital, Allen was surprised to learn that children with disabilities were hidden from public view. Inspired by this discovery, Allen founded what became Easter Seals.
“Your life and mine shall be valued not by what we take, but by what we give.” - Edgar Allen, 1922
