Meet The Team

*This page is still under construction, so keep checking back as we continue to add pictures and profiles of Ian’s team members.

Our current Team Ian members are a unique and varied bunch who bring their best everytime they come to work with Ian.  Having the volunteers and facilitators spending time with Ian allows us more free time to meet the needs of our other kids, while providing the opportunity for Ian to build friendships and to interact in so many different ways.  Besides Stan and I, Ian’s team consists of 7 other individuals!  Each person is dedicated to providing Ian with the most accepting environment in the playroom.  They are well-trained in following his lead and accepting his needs, but also providing lots of fun games when Ian shows he is ready and opens up to play.  We hope you enjoy getting to know this fantastic group of people:

  Sarah

Sarah is a 21 year old nurse working full-time and will be going for her RN degree. She enjoys all kinds of movies, shopping, traveling and all kinds of different food.  She says she’ll try anything once.  Sarah started working with our family in October of 2007, helping out part-time by babysitting on the weekends.  She has been extremely reliable, punctual and is a hard-worker.  As time when on, she became an interested student of the Son-Rise program.  Now she still babysits for us, but also works with Ian in the playroom. 

“Working with Ian has been one of the best things I have ever done. Everytime I play with Ian, I learn something new about him– like something new he wants to eat, new toys he wants to play with or new words that he’s saying.  When  playing with Ian, we have great eye contact and laughs. He brings joy to my life.  Playing tickle is something that Ian and I do well together.  Listening to him laugh and use his words is a great feeling.  The Son-Rise program is a great program in Ian’s life and anyone who gets to work with him is truly lucky and will have a great time . :)”

 Matt

Matt is currently our family’s live-in nanny or super MANny!!  Matt came to us after teaching English in a private school in Poland.  He has worked with disabled kids, including children with autism and bleeding disorders and has also worked as a camp counselor during the summers for 9 years!  Matt joined our family in June of 2008. Matt makes it possible for me to run Ian’s Son-Rise program by helping look after and entertain our other two kids.  I couldn’t manage without his help.  He is funny, calm, and patient. Matt also spends 2-3 sessions per week with Ian in his Son-Rise Program. 

Carmel

Carmel is a 2nd year student at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and the Phoenix Institue of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture.  She loves alternative therapies because they can be very powerful and effective.  She was drawn to Ian’s Son-Rise program and saw it as a chance to learn a great alternative therapy for autism.  She joined the team in December of 2008. We find her to be a bubbly, breath of fresh air. She has great enthusiasm and passion for all she does.

“Working with Ian has given me the opportunity to join him in his playroom and just leave the stresses of the world behind.  I can go into his world, relax and unwind and just be with him.  He has shown me than no one can choose how big or small your world can be– it is all up to you and your imagination and how you look at it.”

Tracy

Tracy is a student at Arizona State University and is a Team Ian veteran, having been with us for a year, starting in February of 2008.  Tracy is reliable and punctual and manages to have a lot of energy for Ian, despite her full course schedule and her other job at a resort spa that has her working 25 hours per week!  Tracy is easy-going, thoughtful and she does an amazing job coming up with crazy and silly ways to engage Ian interactively. 

“Working with Ian has been an amazing experience for me. I enjoy every minute of it and am truly blessed to have been given this opportunity. Joining Ian in his playroom allows me to leave my world and all the stresses of it behind and join him in his world where everything is up to your imagination. Everyday with Ian is a different day. I am constantly learning new things about him.  Over the year I have worked with Ian I have watched him make so much progress and I am excited to continue to watch him progress.”

Jacki

Jacki is a fellow homeschool mom with 4 children ages 14-20 years of age.  She’s an extremely kind and warm person and is a natural at joining Ian and being in a space of pure acceptance of his behaviors and personality.  I’ve known Jacki through homeschooling cirlces for a few years now, but we hadn’t connected as much as I would have liked–perhaps because our children were such different ages and in different places.  I had always thought it would be so great to get to know her better.  And now thanks to Ian and Jacki’s gift of joining our team, I am getting to do just that!

Quote from Jacki coming soon!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Cecilia

Cecilia is a sophomore at ASU majoring in psychology.  She was interested in working with Ian because she wanted a job that was interactive and interesting.  She definitely has the required Son-Rise three E’s, which stand for Energy, Excitement and Enthusiasm!  She is super creative and comes up with silly and entertaining games for Ian on the spur of the moment.   Cecilia is also a quick learner and has continued to improve her technique and also maintains a great attitude with Ian in the playroom.

“Working with Ian has taught me so many things; about myself, and about life in general.  He has shown me countless times that I am a creative and fun person.  He has also demonstrated to me firsthand how rewarding things such as acceptance and patience are.  It brings me so much joy when I hear Ian’s laughter or receive a genuine, loving hug from him.  Through the facilitation of the Son-Rise program, I have seen great changes in a short amount of time.  The Son-Rise program has been amazing for Ian, and for all of us who have experienced it as well.”

Melissa

Melissa is a mom of three kids, ages 12, 10 and 7!  Despite her busy life with her own children, she comes to our home eager and excited to play with Ian.  She has also provided extra care, attention and babysitting outside of the playroom for all of our kids and it has been so helpful.  She is very reliable and has filled in for other team members when needed. The philosophy of the Son-Rise program has really resonated with Melissa and she is interested in possibly becoming a certified Son-Rise Child Facilitator in the future.

“Working with Ian has been amazing!  Ian’s laugh and giggles are contagious; it’s a beautiful experience joining Ian in his world.  I’ve enjoyed connecting with Ian on so many levels– silently touching our feet together, Ian taking my hands and initiating a dance around the room, looking into eachothers eyes without expectations, and warm tight hugs–these are just a few of many.  While working with Ian I’ve learned the value of celebrating a moment, the true understanding of acceptance and so much more.”