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My Story

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:36:39 GMT

Not The Hollywood Ending I Expected!

I have been disabled my entire life and came into the K-12 system when the ADA just came into effect, which wasn’t a quick adaptation for schools back in the day! I faced discrimination and lack of access throughout my schooling. I had both an IEP and 504 plan due to my disabilities and had to learn to navigate my education and my vocational goals.

I went to college and really struggled for the first two years before finding my rhythm, things I loved to do for potential work to graduate during a really challenging recession which led me to a retail job that kept me afloat, for years. Again I faced discrimination in the workplace and got stuck for a few years. I knew what I wanted to do by the end of college, what industry I wanted to work in, how to navigate that industry and was making the plans to get myself to that next step. That all hinged on finding a job which was like climbing Mount Everest in a bathing costume!

After reaching out for different resources and struggling to find work, I was able to get support for vocational training to begin a career as a rehabilitation counselor. I have worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for both state department of education vendor as well as the federal government’s department of Veterans Affairs, I’ve also worked as a disability services counselor for six years and have taught as an adjunct faculty.

My personal and professional experiences have made me keenly aware of the challenges facing all students entering the higher education arena, especially if they’re navigating a disability or chronic illness.

Now I want to do something about it and really help others learn to adjust and adapt to not only life after high school but after college too!

For Students

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:56:49 GMT

Three Keys to Success Make College A Breeze!

Is college a bit weird and overwhelming? Absolutely!

No two college experiences are the same, even if the student comes from the same place, attending the same school and sharing the same major.

Students are often stressed to become the best that they can be and aren’t sure how to be successful.

Truth is, you as a student need to do three basic things:

1) Recognize that the old ways you were learning may not apply in college. It’s important to abandon what doesn’t work and lean in with what does.

2) Make a game plan to tackle what you want to do and what you have to do. You aren’t just responsible to do the homework. Now you have to cook, clean, and take care of yourself and sometimes that’s tough to handle.

3) Know your resources. When in doubt reach out and ask questions of your peers, or university staff. What resources are on campus to help you be successful? Are they free or is there a catch?

Do you want to learn how to master the three basic things that will aid you on your college adventure?

For Professionals

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:45:53 GMT

Getting Good With Documentation

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I've often been asked by clinical professionals " My patient/client gave me documents to fill out and I have no idea how to fill this out?"

I get it, as therapist/psychiatrists/So cial workers/PCPs/counselors we don't like to reduce people to labels and expectations of those labels. We know that our patients/clients are so much more then these labels and expectations.

However we have to remember, the best ways that we can be clear and concise to aid them in obtaining their accommodations. When documenting thing for a patient/client keep it to the core three things.

1) List the diagnosis.

2) List the the impacts on the student daily.

3)Note your recommendations.

It's incredibly important that you and your client understand that at the college level recommendations aren't requirements. Depending on their school and the school's resources.

Do you want to know more, and become proficient in supporting your patients/clients?

For The Parents

sites@tailorbrands.com — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 16:48:38 GMT

Dear Parents,

Here's my open love letter to you all! You are amazing, you may have worked tirelessly to make sure your student got what they needed to get through school to this point. You have shared in each of those wins and losses together. You've tried to maintain control and shield them from the tougher challenges so they didn't loose motivation or self-esteem.

Once they hit campus, you need to be aware that your ability to maintain control and protect them from those challenges reduces to nearly zero.

College is the last pit stop before students head into full fledged adulthood highway. Stepping in, demanding things of colleges and universities and asserting your power

to make things happen is not the best way to help them learn how. How to gas up their cars, change, rotate their tires, make sure they have their breaks and their windscreen is clear.

The best way to help your student is the following:

1) Have a conversation with your student about your expectations and their expectations. Do they match? What happens when expectations aren't met?

Having those conversations are key in order for you and your student to be successful in this jump to college.

2)Have info of where to go if your student is unsure. Then when something happens guide them to the next step.

3) Recognized each student's experience is unique to them. No two students are the same. Instead of you or your student needing to compare themselves to someone else.

Do you want to know more? Check out our parent's workshops and our Roadmap for Parents blog.