Volunteers and Coaches

My first ever paying job was selling baked potatoes in a restaurant in an amusement park when I was 16. Various other jobs along the way during high school and college. During college I worked in group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities as one of my many jobs to put myself through college. After graduating from college, I worked for a 150-bed residential program run by sisters for adult women with developmental disabilities ranging from mild to profound in Northern Illinois. My roles there were many. I taught classes ranging anywhere from self-help to politics depending on the abilities of the women in each of my groups. I also did case management duties for an assigned group of women who were entrusted to my care. Eventually I interviewed for the directorship of the new day program the sisters were opening and was hired for that position. As part of the process of getting that program up and running, I had to get it accredited by a national organization. When we finished with the process and went through our survey and were awarded our accreditation, we were the first facility in the state to be issued anything other than a one-year accreditation on their first application. We were granted a three-year accreditation. I worked for the sisters for 10 years. I have worked for CCSD since February 1998 and all my years have been at Helen J. Stewart School. I work with post-secondary age students with intellectual disabilities. 

 

Hobbies: I love to read. I was born in Japan. My favorite sports are baseball and hockey.

 

Family: I have a 26 year old son who is the light of my life. For many years we lived as an extended family and I helped to take care of my ailing mom and grandma (mom’s mom). Today it is myself, my dad, and my son.

 

Skating experience: Figure skating parent and highly involved in the Las Vegas Figure Skating Club, including president

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Etc.: I cannot say I know what it’s like to have a child with special needs, because I don’t. I can tell you what it’s like to have your own disability and how you don’t stop reaching for your goals no matter what. I do not let my disability define who I am, my disability is part of me, it is who I am.

I am a parent. I have my own biological child and consider many others my kids also. I have worked with individuals with special needs for many years, in many settings, and many ages elementary to senior citizen. They are all my kids, past and present. They will always be my kids. They are part of me, they make me who I am.