I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Therapeutic Recreation and Health Education. I became certified through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) following my internship at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and the Maine-Niles Association for Special Recreation in Illinois. Throughout my career as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), I have worked in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric facilities, inpatient rehabilitation settings, geriatrics, and with individuals with a wide range of developmental disabilities. I have also served on the Advisory Board of Macomb County Community Mental Health and was subsequently elected President.

During the course of my career, I was blessed with my son, Matthew. Ironically, we chose his name because it means “a gift from God.” He is our heart, our soul, and the inspiration behind starting this business. Matthew was born with an extremely rare metabolic disease: metabolic cytopathy, myopathy at the mitochondrial level. This condition has affected him in many ways. Despite these challenges, he has lived life to its fullest by participating in adaptive soccer and baseball, swimming, bowling, therapeutic horseback riding, fishing, adaptive wheelchair bike rides, zoo trips, and family vacations, including Niagara Falls, Disneyland, and the London Safari Zoo in Canada.

Based on statistics, Matthew has exceeded the projected life expectancy for this disease. He has an excellent quality of life filled with meaningful activities and people who love and care for him. I believe that providing Matthew with a full and engaging life has given him the motivation to move forward. It is my belief that all children with medical, physical, psychiatric, and neuro-behavioral challenges deserve to experience all the benefits life has to offer, unconditionally and without barriers. This belief has become my legacy for Matthew, for all children, and the foundation for developing Therapeutic Concepts, LLC.