September 16, 2025
Hello friends! I have known today’s Team Up guest, Jennifer Fitzgerald of Yacavone Home Therapy, Inc., for almost fifteen years. She shares the same passion for children and love of learning that I do. She and I have taught and trained together; we both became CEIMs at the same time! Jen’s training as an OT has shown me the importance of having access to a multi-disciplinary team to learn from and collaborate with. Jen brings a fresh perspective and passion to her work, and has taught me so much over the years. I love her energy and enthusiasm!
Vanessa has a tremendous heart that is filled with compassion, love, and joy. Her infectious smile
touches each person she comes in contact with. Vanessa will always go the extra mile to help a
client, colleague, and friend. I admire her direction and guidance with her own family through
various stages of life.
Vanessa and I met each other in 2009 in Virginia, where our husbands were stationed active duty
military. I love her passion for music therapy, child life therapy, infant massage educator, and
speech therapy. She has always inspired me to continue on the education path to help more
people. Watching vanessa choose her passion.
Professionally, Vanessa and I share the same passion of helping people. As an occupational
therapist of 24 years, working with the lifespan and various diagnosis, I have realized the shift
and purpose of therapy. Vanessa and I have shared many conversations regarding how different
these times bring and how our therapeutic use of self has shifted purpose. We are
parent/caregiver coaches, ensuring we provide information and direction to families as they need
to understand the child’s disability and various adaptive ways to function in society. Knowing the
“just right fit” to help these families is a critical part of our practices. Vanessa is always looking
to improve her resources and help wherever she can.
Together we can achieve more through compassion, love, and joy. It is a true blessing to be able
to team up with Vanessa and Peek-A-Boo Speech. Her friendship is forever a treasure never to be
taken advantage of or forgotten.