38yrs

female

Speaks English, Sign Language (ASL)

I have worked with children that have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, ADD, ADHD, & epilepsy. I worked for United Cerebral Palsy and Arizona Mentor, I was the manager of a group home for dually diagnosed adults and I am in school for my certification in deaf studies and my BA for applied Linguistics. My family owned a daycare and I worked there for about 10 years, the daycare provided me with my first experience caring for a child with special needs. He had Down syndrome and working with him made me fall in love with caring for children with special needs. He was also the reason I found ASL and am pursuing that certification. The second child I worked with for 6 years. He had cerebral palsy, was non verbal, non mobile, severe cognitive disability, fed through a G-tube, and spastic. I love working with children that have special needs especially at the moment when they learn something and their face lights up with excitement and pride. I feel very privileged when I'm not only able to witness, but be a part of moments like that in a child's life. I also have 3 children of my own (10, 6, 3 years old). They are my world and I am big on teaching them to see beyond the physical and mental differences in people.