I'm educational assistant for the Simcoe County District School Board and currently in school to become a recreational therapist. I am a patient, empathetic and enthusiastic individual with a wide range of passions and interests. I am a sibling of someone who is deaf and has developmental disabilities. You could say I’ve had a lifetime of experience. I grew up watching my parents struggle to find the right support for my brother. There were so many barriers between my brother and our community, yet I knew he had so much to contribute. With the help of the right support worker, I witnessed my brother break down these barriers and integrate within his community. Over time, I started noticing people waving to him and even communicating with him in sign language. He is now the one introducing me to new faces, bridging the gap between what was once a wall. With encouragement and advocacy from his support worker, he now contributes to valuable roles in his community and continues to build connections with those from whom he was once isolated from. My aspiration is to help build those bridges for your loved ones through advocating and empowering them to live valuable and independent lives.