Mom and Grandpa

Helping others seems to have a history in my family. Both my mom and her father worked as teachers of the visually impaired. My grandma on my dad's side worked as a nurse for her career. Being exposed to these careers played a role in inspiring my future career choice. 

When it came time to look at colleges and decide which school I wanted to go to and what major I would choose, it was a pretty easy decision for me. I knew that I wanted to go into a field that allowed me to work with individuals with disabilities. 

My love for being around individuals with disabilities started when my cousin Charlie was born in 2001. Charlie has Down Syndrome. Ever since he was born, I had always loved spending time with him and hearing about all of the great things he was doing at therapy and in school. I was inspired by his perseverance to learn and accomplish any tasks. 

I always found myself asking his mom questions about things that he was doing at school and in therapies. I had a strong bond with him from our young ages that has carried into the current day. He makes me smile, laugh, and remember that we could all use more of his positive attitude in our own daily lives. 

Once I started high school, my parents told me that it was time for me to get a job during the off seasons that I was not playing sports. I brainstormed some different jobs to apply for, but I found myself quickly applying to the special recreation association in my area, Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA). 

Time to get a job!!! 

I wonder if I am cut out to do this!???

I remember feeling nervous and anxious as I attended various training through NWSRA before starting the job. They provided us basic training on strategies to use when working with individuals with disabilities as well as some first aid and basic medical guidelines. I remember feeling overwhelmed with being the same age as many of the participants I would be working with.