I am a British teacher with a Cer­tifi­cate in Edu­ca­tion, spe­cial­is­ing in the 3 to 7 year age group, from Brent­wood Col­lege of Edu­ca­tion, Essex, Eng­land (then part of the Cam­bridge Insti­tute of Edu­ca­tion, now absorbed by Anglia Ruskin University). 

I have been a care­giv­er and teacher for infants through to a 103 year old Alzheimer’s patient and just about every age and sev­er­al dis­abil­i­ties in between, includ­ing stroke vic­tims, those with Down’s Syn­drome from 3 to 50 years of age and a vari­ety of oth­er devel­op­men­tal and lan­guage delays. Last­ly, but by no means least, for 10 years I have helped my hus­band reha­bil­i­tate him­self from dev­as­tat­ing med­ical chal­lenges — he’s a miracle!

My pas­sion now is work­ing with infants and chil­dren under age 3 years (the younger the bet­ter) because I tru­ly believe I have found some of the keys to avert­ing devel­op­men­tal delays.

I have learned much about the psy­chol­o­gy of care giv­ing and sur­vival in the past 31 years, and learned even more than I expect­ed in the past 10 years. Yet each care­giv­ing oppor­tu­ni­ty paved the way for me to devel­op spe­cial abil­i­ties and knowl­edge which gave me strength for the chal­lenges of 10 years ago.

Ten­der lov­ing care REALLY works, be it giv­ing or receiv­ing. It used to be called “moth­er­ing” and was a much-val­ued occupation!

I have had a spe­cial guide and friend dur­ing these years. She is most of all a well-ground­ed true and car­ing friend but also a beloved moth­er, grand­moth­er, great-grand­moth­er and step-grand­moth­er — of many!

She has steered me through my dark­est times. The only per­son who could tru­ly hear the words I need­ed to say and answer the ques­tions I need­ed answered. I am so grate­ful for hav­ing her in my life.

I am blessed by her thought­ful­ness, wis­dom and insight.

My two sons have shown me what human beings can become if they are giv­en the time­ly and appro­pri­ate oppor­tu­ni­ties to be the best they can be. All my own oppor­tu­ni­ties have come from first­ly being guid­ed for them and now being guid­ed by them.

I am most grate­ful to them to still be shar­ing their lives and their music with me and their father. Their love and wis­dom is constant.