I was born a year after my sister with Down Syndrome was born. From little on I knew I wanted to help children with special needs! It's about showing care and concern for the student and their family that matters. And truly loving them. Kids know who really cares.

I worked with a residential 12yo boy with severe non verbal autism who was not making positive progress until he made it to my caseload. After 3 months with me he was asking for items instead of snatching them, wearing shoes to the cafeteria for safety and health reasons instead of refusing, and he stopped running from the classroom and towards me when anxious or upset. Love, attention and understanding changed his life. And aide of mine said "Dori does what's right... not what's easiest".

I would use it to remodel my home with ramps and handicapped accessible bathroom items since I am a recent amputee. I hope to retire one day!