Why I am the best candidadte

As a legally blind Licensed Master Social Worker with advanced training in gerontology, disability services, and inclusive education, I bring a deeply personal and interdisciplinary approach to geriatric social work at the VA—one rooted in the belief that every individual deserves to be seen, heard, and supported with dignity. My lived experience with disability has shaped not only my empathy, but my insight into the barriers aging veterans face when navigating systems that often overlook their full humanity. I understand what it means to adapt, to persist, and to advocate for care that reflects the whole person—not just a diagnosis or a discharge plan.

My background in education and individualized planning has given me a strong foundation in case management. I’ve led the development and implementation of IEPs for students with complex needs, crafting goals and objectives that honor their strengths while addressing their challenges. This process mirrors the work I would do with aging veterans—building personalized care plans that ensure their medical, emotional, and environmental needs are met. I know how to coordinate across disciplines, communicate with families, and track progress toward meaningful outcomes.

I am also deeply knowledgeable about tools and strategies that help individuals age in place in the least restrictive environments. Whether it’s adapting utensils for motor limitations, linking medication to familiar routines, or using sensory cues to support memory and orientation, I understand how to foster independence through thoughtful design. My work has always centered on empowering individuals to remain engaged in their environments, even as their abilities change.

In addition to direct care, I bring a strong capacity to support caregivers and families—especially during times of transition and loss. I have helped families navigate grief with compassion, using symbolic tools like personalized memory boxes to preserve connection and foster healing. I approach end-of-life care with reverence and empathy, recognizing that these moments call for not only clinical skill, but emotional presence.

What sets me apart is the integration of professional rigor with lived insight. I don’t just understand the systems—I’ve lived within them. I don’t just advocate for access—I embody it. I am ready to serve aging veterans with the creativity, resilience, and compassion they deserve, and to help their families find strength and meaning in every stage of care.

 Left Hand – Professional Framework

• Thumb: Knowledge of Issues of Aging
  (Including least restrictive placement continuum and person-centered transitions)

• Index Finger: Disability Adaptations
  (Modifying tools and environments to support independence)

• Middle Finger: Grief Counseling
  (Supporting families through loss with symbolic tools like memory boxes)

• Ring Finger: Adaptive Instruction
  (Using movement, rhythm, and sensory cues to scaffold behavior and routine)

• Pinky Finger: Interdisciplinary Planning
  (Integrating social work, education, and rehabilitation strategies)

Palm Symbol:
Three interlocking puzzle pieces labeled:

• Autonomy – Represented by a fork and knife

• Dignity – Represented by a ribbon-tied heart and folded flag

• Engagement – Represented by a tree with musical notes

✋ Right Hand – Lived Insight

• Thumb: Memory Strategies
  (Multisensory techniques to reinforce memory and procedural fluency)

• Index Finger: Lived Experience with Disability
  (Personal insight into systemic barriers and authentic connection)

• Middle Finger: Trauma-Informed Practice
  (Delivering care with sensitivity to past trauma)

• Ring Finger: Creative Problem-Solving
  (Designing individualized solutions for complex needs)

• Pinky Finger: Empathy
  (Guided by resilience and emotional intelligence)

Palm Symbol:

• Stylized Eye with Radiating Lines – Symbolizing insight beyond sight

• Heart Wrapped in a Ribbon of Resilience – Representing emotional depth and strength