For the past three years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with people with disabilities. During this last year this experience has focused on members of our community with developmental disabilities and their families through the Passport Initiative Program. This experience has provided me with a very clear understanding as to the challenges that people with developmental disabilities and their families face.

I love working with people, I am a firm believer that every individual has something special to contribute to their community, and that their communities will reciprocate. This exchange of gifts will result in a stronger, healthier and happier society. I always like to think about my community as a jigsaw puzzle, every member is a piece, we are all different but we all have a place where we fit perfectly in that puzzle to make a beautiful picture together. As a Facilitator, I’m there to help the person dig deep and figure out what their gifts are, where and how their communities would get the most out of those gifts.

I feel very passionate about the role of the Facilitator because I can see opportunities for every member of my community. I have a positive attitude and enjoy looking at the possibilities rather than the impossibilities. I look forward to a society that values and provides opportunities to every one of its members.

As a person with a disability, (I am visually impaired) I have experienced many difficulties while overcoming barriers to share my gifts with my community. I have learned through my own journey to value every opportunity and to fully explore possibilities as well as to appreciate the gifts that others share.