WELCOME

I joined the SEPAC Board as Chairperson in Spring of 2023.  When I’m not acting as SEPAC Chairperson, I can usually be found working as a self-employed bookkeeper and paralegal, and a sometimes substitute para.   But biggest and most important job is being the proud mom of an amazing special needs child, as well as being his biggest advocate (because I want my son to have every opportunity to excel despite his limitations).  So that means that on top of regular annual IEP meetings, I’m also the mom who bugs her ETFs constantly requesting check-in meetings, IEP amendments and sometimes additional evals.  learning).   I will be the first to admit, when I was asked to become SEPAC Chairperson, I was extremely nervous - while I had been Secretary and then President of Moody School PTO, I am by no means a public speaker.  But it didn’t take me long to say yes because I thought about how much I had struggled to find resources myself, and how many families must be in the same boat.  I wanted to not only help where I could, but also learn as I go.  As you all know, having a child in the special education system can be daunting and scary.  And knowing I have a community to support me is an extra bonus!

I joined the SEPAC board as Secretary in the Spring of 2023.  It has been a rewarding experience for me in terms of volunteering more of my personal time to giving back to my community and to this organization that has provided me with help, support, and a bandwidth of networks with other families with disabilities.    In addition to my responsibilities within SEPAC, I've been working in the Boston/Cambridge area for the past 10 years as a researcher in the bio-therapeutic field while raising my very active and incredibly amazing twin teenage sons, who are on the autism spectrum, and whom I have been passionately advocating for since the tender age of 2, also sympathetically known as the "terrible twos".  They are now 18 years old and I am very proud of them!  The road has not always been easy, but we've continued to remain on path, despite all of the detours and unexpected hurdles that could come about, we jumped through them together, and continue to support and love one another.  I also provide care for my brilliant mother who has always been there for me and my little family.  Fun fact – I’m also a bit of a foodie, so I do enjoy going out and trying new menus, and of course spending time with my supportive relatives and friends (which is so important)!