I am a licensed Therapeutic Recreation Technician with experience working in Skilled Nursing and Acute Rehabilitation settings. I specialize in supporting individuals with memory impairments. My approach is centered on seeing each resident not through the lens of their disabilities, but through their abilities. I focus on identifying strengths, providing adaptive resources, and creating opportunities for meaningful participation in leisure activities.

My role is to help patients rediscover purpose, independence, and joy by showing them that they still possess the abilities and potential to engage in the activities they love—often in ways they may have believed were no longer possible. I strive to uncover what motivates them, whether it’s crocheting, painting, card games, or more active pursuits. Sometimes this means introducing tools such as card holders, cue reminders, or adaptive strategies like exploring different hand positions or angles for games such as bowling or darts. My goal is to inspire patients to keep trying until we discover what works best for them.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is working with memory care patients who may appear withdrawn or unresponsive. I love helping them reconnect with the world around them. For example, I once played a patient’s favorite song—“On Top of the World” by The Carpenters—for someone who had been asleep for over eight hours. As soon as the familiar melody began, the patient woke up and sang every word by heart. Witnessing the amazement and joy on the faces of their family and the staff—who rarely heard the patient speak—reminded me of why I do this work.

My purpose is to help patients find reasons to wake up, to engage, and to live fully—even if it’s as simple as singing their favorite song for three minutes. The beauty of therapeutic recreation lies in truly getting to know each patient and their life story. This understanding allows me to create individualized, person-centered care plans that support not just participation, but genuine thriving.