Children are Special in their own way!

The summer of 2003, I started filling out applications to different schools for Early Childhood Education.  I got an acceptance letter from Northern Essex Community College (NECCo) in the Early Childhood Education Program.  I was so excited to start a new journey after I failed out of the Electrical Engineering Program at UMass Lowell.  On campus, I noticed that there was a Day Care Center, and I went to see if they were hiring.  I explained that I was a student in the Early Childhood Education Program and was looking to receive some more experience in the field.  I was hired as an assistant teacher and worked part time.  I was there only a few short months and was asked to be a one-on-one aide with a children who had special needs.  This child's name is Chloe, she was in a wheelchair, and had seizures.  When I went to the center I was greeted with a smile from ear to ear and her saying, "Erin read me books. Erin read me books."  I told Chloe that I would read her books and that she could read me books.  I took care of her needs as well.  I was shown how to hold her and support her weight to help her take steps out of the wheelchair.  I stretched feet and placed her AFO's on that were extra support to help her walk.  I gave her her seizure medicine every afternoon to prevent her from having a seizure at school.  Chloe showed me how to look at life in a way I never would have seen if it was not for her.  She brought out the best in me that I never thought was possible until I met this child.  After working with her and forming a bond with Chloe for 2 years, I was inspired to want to work with special needs children.  I wanted to help children and give them the encouragement to help them grow and succeed.