 Laura Gawel
Director of Day Services
Contact Laura - laura.gawel@aspirewny.org
"Remember that everything we do effects how we feel about
ourselves. If you help make someone else feel good about them, in turn,
you will inevitably feel good about yourself." When did you begin working at Aspire?
2005
Summarize your most notable contributions throughout your employment at Aspire.
I lead the day services team in implementing a change of
expectations and outcomes for all we serve. We value the realization of
personalized supports, opportunities for training and education, as well
as a culture of leadership, collaboration and choice.
How did your passion for helping people with disabilities come about?
As a child, I wasn't aware of my "passion," but had experiences where
my support helped those with disabilities. For example, I became
instant friends with a girl who had cerebral palsy and we grew up
together. Also, when I was in fifth grade our school started inclusion.
Helping people with developmental disabilities was certainly
rewarding, but it didn't find me as a passion until later. I continued
through school thinking I wanted to be a teacher. Once I graduated from
high school, my mother encouraged me to start working with kids with
special needs to help put myself through college. Even though I loved
it, I still felt a draw to be a high school teacher. After my first
year of teaching, I realized it wasn't what I had expected. Remembering
how much I had enjoyed working with specials needs kids as a child and
young adult, I applied for a job with a local ARC. I loved it from the
very first moment I started.
I don't know why exactly, or what has always seemed to pull me to
working with people with disabilities. I just know I love it, and find
it extremely rewarding. | 
