Grace, OT/L

Grace earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from East Carolina University, where her passion for supporting individuals with disabilities began to take shape. During this time, she spent three and a half years working as an in-home Habilitation Technician for an individual with cerebral palsy who had severe and profound support needs. This meaningful experience gave Grace an early appreciation for individualized care, the importance of meeting each child where they are, and the powerful role families and caregivers play in a child’s development.

Grace earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree from Wingate University, where pediatrics quickly became one of her favorite areas of study. Her passion for pediatric occupational therapy was further solidified during her fieldwork experience with Shine Therapy, LLC. There, she thrived in community-based occupational therapy, supporting children in natural environments and seeing firsthand the value of meaningful, family-centered intervention.

Grace especially values partnering with parents and caregivers. She believes collaboration and caregiver education are essential for helping children carry new skills beyond therapy sessions and into their everyday routines and environments. As part of her doctoral work, Grace partnered with GiGi’s Playhouse Charlotte to develop and implement a curriculum designed to empower parents and caregivers to incorporate occupational therapy principles into everyday life. The program focused on extending the “OT lens” by helping caregivers recognize opportunities to support their child’s participation, independence, and development through everyday routines, play, and interactions. This experience further strengthened Grace’s passion for caregiver education.

Grace has also remained committed to serving individuals with disabilities through volunteer experiences at Tim Tebow Foundation Proms, GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, and Special Olympics Sports.