Heisey gives back to Easterseals
NORTHFIELD, N.J. – Jeff Heisey was the poster child for Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania in 1980. Literally. His face helped lead the organization’s fundraising efforts.
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Fast forward to 2026, and Heisey has an even grander role. Now in his third year as chairman of the Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania Board, he has gone from the face of the campaign to a leader advancing its mission. The smiling kid from those fundraising materials is all grown up, but the mission remains close to his heart.
Golf found Heisey, who has lived with cerebral palsy, when he was 5 years old. During a Lions Club Pro-Am fundraiser at Heidelberg Country Club, he met Major Champion Gary Player, who taught him how to grip a club. It’s a grip Heisey still uses today. Soon thereafter, his father Brian bought him clubs and lessons.
Now 51 and a resident of Gilbertsville, Pa., Heisey is competing in his second GAP Adaptive Championship at Atlantic City Country Club. He credits Justin Rinas, his instructor at The Skramble House of Golf, with encouraging him to give the championship a try.
“I love it. I feel like I’m the most equal to an able body player out there. I don’t feel the handicap when I’m on the course,” said Heisey, who carded an 89 and stands in 10th place in the G8: Men’s Neurological & Coordination impairment category. “It’s what I love to do. It’s my stress relief. It makes me feel a little less disabled.”
He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in 1978 at an Easterseals medical clinic. Doctors and physical therapists formulated a plan. He had multiple surgeries at age 5, and more at age 10, hoping to correct his gait.
“A physical therapist had to teach me how to walk again after each surgery,” said Heisey. “I had the same physical therapist from age 5 to age 16, Dolores Bertoti. Easterseals helped me learn to walk again. I just don’t know where I’d be without them. I knew I would not have been able to do all that I’ve done.”
His mother Linda died in 2020. She donated to Easterseals every year. Jeff said it was only right to continue that support. He donated in her name. The organization reached out. In 2023, after a few calls, he joined the board.
Heisey wrestled and played baseball at Daniel Boone Area High School before attending Slippery Rock University. He majored in business management and minored in business administration. Heisey took over his family’s Stanley Steemer of Berks County business, which employs 12 people.
His regular golf game brings Heisey to Reading Country Club, where he is a member. This is his first trip to Atlantic City.
Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania helps between 3,000-4,000 people a year. There are 12 therapists, of different varieties who travel to homes as well as work in an Easterseals building in Reading, Pa.
Easterseals creates life-changing solutions for individuals with disabilities and their families in their community by increasing independence, maximizing opportunities, minimizing barriers and enhancing quality of life.
Just like Heisey.
GAP Adaptive
In 2024, GAP (Golf Association of Philadelphia) launched GAP Adaptive to continue its mission of promoting, preserving and protecting the game of golf for all. GAP’s Adaptive Golf committee opened the season with its first program titled No Limit Clinics, a season-long series of instructional Adaptive Golf events taking place at various GAP Member Clubs. The GAP Adaptive season culminates with the GAP Adaptive Championship, a WR4GD-counting event. The field consists of local and international Adaptive Golfers.
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