» Inspiring Stories from Scholarship Recipients

Inspiring Stories from Scholarship Recipients

Dear Donor,

My name is Katrina and I am a Child Facilitator at the Autism Treatment Center of America. I’ve worked with special needs children for the last five years in a number of capacities (caretaker, day treatment worker, ABA therapist). However, after watching the BBC documentary on the Son Rise program, I knew that helping children through Son Rise was my vocation. I immediately looked online and was delighted to discover that with help from donors I could do an apprenticeship program making training possible for me to afford. I moved my life from North Dakota to Massachusetts to undertake one of the most meaningful periods in my life. Since beginning my training, I feel like I’ve become the most amazing force of nature for those that I work with.

When I first started training, I was closed down and insecure. I wanted rules on how to do everything, because I didn’t trust myself to know it on my own. Yet, I was defensive. If anyone suggested anything, I blew it off, not being open to see that it was me holding myself back. Within months of training from our inspiring teachers, I was able to let my guard down, see the best thing for these kids, and tirelessly go after what I wanted. Now a year and a half later, I am confident and empowered. I don’t need rules, because I know that whatever happens I have the tools and the ability to create a loving, successful relationship with a child.

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to see first hand just how powerful my skills are when I went to a child’s home to work with him. I played with Benjamin who is three years old. When I first started playing with Ben, he was looking and talking, but not playing with me. His average attention span was less than a minute. Ben would run around the room, ask for play-dough, dump everything out, make faces in the mirror, and then want to run around the room in circles again. After trying to keep up with him for a few minutes, I thought I might be in over my head. However, I took a deep breath, smiled, and started running around the room with Ben. I knew that Ben was a different child, but I also knew that my loving attitude and energetic techniques would work. Ben played his first imaginary game that day and it lasted for 9 minutes, his longest game ever! In my line of work I hear and create stories like this on a day to day basis and I love it!

Thanks to my training here I have a job that I truly enjoy and skills that I can take with me anywhere. I’ve come to love learning about myself and the world around me. I know that whatever happens is for the best and I embrace life with open, accepting arms. I am eternally grateful for the support that was given to me by unknown angels in allowing me to have this time to learn and grow. I know the children and families that I have helped and will be able to help will be forever thankful as well. Thank you so much!

With love and deep appreciation,

--Katrina Kramlich

 

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