I found out very early on that I liked helping people who society tended to leave in the shadows. I have two male special needs cousins: one is 15 and has autism, the second is 13 and has cognitive delays. When I got into middle school, I started a program with students who wanted to help our peers with special needs during a free period or lunch. I loved it very much and cherish my time with all of them. There was a wide span of disabilities from severe autism to students who were wheelchair bound by muscular dystrophy, and other more severe disabilities as well. Then, in high school, I also helped with programs involving not only special needs students in my high school, but in nearby schools as well. My dad also started to date a woman with a son with class three autism. I love him very much and he can definitely be a handful at times, but he is also a big love bug and shows it in his own beautifully, special way. He is not vocal until recently and has sensory issues as well. I am passionate about providing compassionate care to children who maybe just need a little extra attention and love.