my inspiration

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Working with families and children with has been one of the most rewarding opportunities for me. The children constantly inspire me, even when I’m not with them. I can be sitting in the studio, sewing away and think back to a situation of a time when I taught someone something new and I’m inspired for the rest of the day.

During my junior year of college, I decided to look for a part time job. I remember seeing a posting for the line therapist position in a local newspaper and decided to apply for it.  I was interviewed, offered a position and placed on my first team; I was excited for the job yet completed unaware of the amazing career that awaited me. Leading up to my first day I was eager to start, but nervous about meeting the family for the first time.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but after completing my training I felt more confident and excited to be on my own. It took me a few months to get comfortable with programming but with solid resources and good people supporting me I let loose.  I made a concerted effort to be as creative as I could to make a difference in the lives of the family that I was working with. Within the first few months I was able to notice changes in the child that we were working with.  We taught the child how to ride a bike, use the bathroom, and eventually hold a conversation. I would leave work at night feeling like I made a difference and woke up in the morning excited about the opportunities ahead. Words cannot describe that feeling that I would get after the parents would recognize and participate in the progress of their child.

We follow the child’s motivation and set up situations to target attainable goals and skills to enhance the lives of not just the children but their families too. Over the past five years I have seen monumental changes with the children I’ve worked with. It is a passion of mine to support families and therapists learn strategies that will help children obtain goals that no one thought possible.

I once heard the saying “find a job that you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” and being a line therapist definitely was a job that I loved and decided to make a career out of. I decided to go to graduate school for master’s degree, focusing on autism spectrum disorder, and recently was promoted to the become the autism services coordinator at a local clinic in Milwaukee.

Due to confidentially purposes, I can't post any pictures of the lovely kiddos I get to work with. So, I'm following Gussy's lead and sharing a few pictures of my favorite jewelry items.

1) my anniversary/ wedding ring

2) pearl necklace (also from my hubby)

3) floral blossom necklace from the shop