Assisting and advocating for those with special needs has always been a passion of mine. My experience with individuals with disabilities started when I began nannying for a young girl with down syndrome when I was 15. I continued this job for three years. In this time, I helped to take her to dance classes, assist with her swim instruction and promoted instructional play. I also have volunteered at my local children's hospital for the past 5 years where I have encountered individuals with multiple disabilities including deaf/blind, cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injuries. In this position, I mostly kept these people company and babysat for young patients when their parents needed a break. Lastly, I have recently began students teaching two days a week within a special education classroom where I help to instruct students who have specific learning disabilities, autism as well as emotional/ behavior disorders.