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What do you do at Angel?
I am the Admissions Advisor.
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When did you join the Angel team?
I started in April of 2017.
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What motivates you to get up and go to work?
Aside from providing for my family, this is the best job in the whole world. I love being able to be a part of someone growing their family through adoption. It's also very personal for me because I was adopted. Oftentimes, I am the first person a family speaks with and I do my best to make them feel comfortable and confident with adoption, and I work hard so that no one ever feels dismissed. I truly feel this job is a privilege and something I wake up happy to get to do every single day.
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What is your favorite inspirational, motivational, or positive-thinking quote?
"Have courage and be kind." — Cinderella
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What's your personal connection to adoption?
I was adopted through private adoption at birth. Four-and-a-half years later, my parents adopted my little sister.
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What advice do you have for our waiting families?
Do your best to live your life to the fullest while you are waiting. Also, trust Angel!
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Who inspires you and why?
My son, Rhys, who has Down syndrome.
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When are you happiest?
When I am with the people I love most in this world.
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What is your favorite family tradition?
Celebrating the New Year in San Diego with my sister and her family.
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What are you passionate about?
Adoption, Down syndrome, and Multiple Sclerosis.
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What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
Last year, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Going through the diagnostic process, receiving treatment to help with symptoms, and ultimately starting a disease managing drug to keep it under control was quite an experience. I feel so fortunate to have come out the other side stronger than ever and very grateful for the support of my amazing team at Angel, who were with me every step of the way.
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What’s the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Learning to advocate for my son and navigating the ignorance of others towards disabilities by offering kindness and education.
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What was something that happened to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?
Having a child with Down syndrome! We hit the jackpot!
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What’s your most memorable facepalm moment?
Back when my husband and I were dating, I needed to drop something off at his parent's house. I drove over, parked, and ran inside to drop it off and chat a bit. When I went to leave, I realized I had locked my keys inside my car. We tried to break in, but ultimately his parents had to call the police department to let me into my car — only to discover my sunroof had been opened the entire time. His dad could not stop laughing!
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What do you like to do on your days off?
Enjoy the small town we are so fortunate to call home!
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Where is your favorite place to be?
Ireland
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What is one thing you cannot resist?
Pepperoni pizza
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What are you proudest of?
My son. Every day he has to work harder than everyone else just to accomplish typical tasks we take for granted. For myself? Probably winning Young Author's in 3rd grade. I really peaked in elementary school.
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What books are at your bedside?
Anything urban fantasy! My husband always says I won't read it if there aren't vampires in it.
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What music is on your most-played list?
I listen to everything, truly, but my favorite is country.
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What's your favorite TV show to binge-watch?
Veronica Mars
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What's your favorite movie quote?
"You know how much I love watching you work, but I've got my country's 500th anniversary to plan, my wedding to arrange, my wife to murder, and Guilder to blame for it. I'm swamped." — The Princess Bride
