"Hello, I am Sandra, I am hard of hearing and cochlear implant candidate. I am a social worker as well! Before this program, I had a very negative mindset, negative beliefs about myself as I felt like I couldn’t do what I want to do because of my disability. I was constantly negative about myself and I felt very stuck in my life as I felt like I was missing something. I was going through anxiety very badly at the time and I didn’t know why. Then as I came in this program, at first I was so nervous and did not want to say anything and Katie just makes me feel so comfortable right away. She knew that it would take me a little bit but she always said that she believe in me and I needed to hear that. Katie met me at the level that I was and she was so patient with working with me. I often don’t get that with anyone because I feel like people get impatient with me due to my disability. I showed up every day even on my good and bad days, I did something every day that make me feel uncomfortable. I want to not let my fear get to me on everything and the only way I could work on that is doing something little or big that makes me uncomfortable and Katie told me to do that. I also reached out to people which is something that makes me uncomfortable and figuring out other ways to build connections or relationships. I have such huge confidence in myself and believe in myself, thanks to Katie! I did not have that before this program and now I feel like I am capable of doing anything that I want and going after my dreams.
I feel like I know why in life and I know that I can do anything I set my mind to. I’m very thankful for her and the programπ"
- Sandra