- Who I am
- Education
- Professional Goals and Objectives
- Professional Memberships
- Fieldwork Experience
- Occupational Therapy Related Experience
- Community Service
- Certifications
- Assessment Skills
- Intervention Skills
- Computer Skills
- Continuing Education
- Advocacy
- Presentations
- Contact Information
- Resources
Who I am
I am
- a mother
- a friend
- a daughter
- an advocate
- a woman
- a student
- a teacher
- a joyful spirit
As a child and young adult I studied art. Art history and the men and women who created art fascinated me. I found solace in creating art of my own in almost any media; fibers, paint, sculpture, recycled materials. After college I discovered that I had a connection with children through art. As a teaching artist I developed a conversation with children and helped them to express their feelings through the language of art. I believe that art-making can lead to self-discovery and can be a tool with which to express emotion.
As a young mother I found that I had an unruly child: a beautiful daughter who was unable to express herself as other children did. When my daughter was three years old she was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. She had always been a unique child who was emotional and expressive. Discovering occupational therapy through her diagnosis showed me that she perceived life from a different perspective than most people. My darling child lacked the tools that most of us are born with. She was unable to filter out the sound of other children’s conversations, the itch of a clothing tag on the back of her neck, the feel of the breeze on her skin, the jarring noise of the flushing of an automatic toilet. The protective responses of her nervous system over-responded. How could we modulate her system to respond appropriately? Through the implementation of occupational therapy services my daughter has discovered that she can breathe-- literally. She no longer has to be wound so tightly anymore. She can listen without over-hearing. She can participate in music, dance, trapeze, movies and school activities without feeling the need to run screaming from the room. Occupational therapy enables my daughter with tools to participate in the activities of childhood.
I bring a creative thought process to occupational therapy, a love of learning, a curiosity and willingness. Through innovative alternatives children and adults can learn to be their best selves. I have seen the magic that occupational therapy can perform. I will become a magician.
As a young mother I found that I had an unruly child: a beautiful daughter who was unable to express herself as other children did. When my daughter was three years old she was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. She had always been a unique child who was emotional and expressive. Discovering occupational therapy through her diagnosis showed me that she perceived life from a different perspective than most people. My darling child lacked the tools that most of us are born with. She was unable to filter out the sound of other children’s conversations, the itch of a clothing tag on the back of her neck, the feel of the breeze on her skin, the jarring noise of the flushing of an automatic toilet. The protective responses of her nervous system over-responded. How could we modulate her system to respond appropriately? Through the implementation of occupational therapy services my daughter has discovered that she can breathe-- literally. She no longer has to be wound so tightly anymore. She can listen without over-hearing. She can participate in music, dance, trapeze, movies and school activities without feeling the need to run screaming from the room. Occupational therapy enables my daughter with tools to participate in the activities of childhood.
I bring a creative thought process to occupational therapy, a love of learning, a curiosity and willingness. Through innovative alternatives children and adults can learn to be their best selves. I have seen the magic that occupational therapy can perform. I will become a magician.