How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? My two daughters are seven (Avery) and nine (Shea). This month, it is 7.5 years that we (including my husband) have lived in Westport.
What has been the most difficult age with your children to date? What helped you overcome the challenges at that time? I think that the time from kindergarten to first grade is the most challenging (to date). I think children’s brains are just exploding with all this input and they’re trying to channel it all while navigating these new environments, which can be frustrating for them…and for us as parents – at least for me – in terms of their behavior. That was a challenging time for me with both of my girls.
What is your favorite family activity to do in Westport or the surrounding towns? Hands down, going to the beach. Starting in May and through September, we spend at least one full day of each weekend at the beach. It is by far, my favorite activity with my family.
What was your most memorable family vacation and why? Every year we go to Cape Cod. Cape Cod is a very special place for us, and I think it’s because we go with my sister and her family. We don’t have a lot of traditions in our lives as our extended family is all over the place, so we’re making our own memories and traditions as we go along. Cape Cod has become a great tradition and the kids love it so much. We’re all so relaxed and happy – what’s not to love?
What is the best white lie you have told your kids? Hmmm…I lie to them all the time…what’s the best? Just kidding. I am not sure it’s the best, but it may be the one I tell most frequently, “Mommy is not going to work (or see a patient) tomorrow.”
What is your proudest mommy moment? My proudest moments are when my kids are proud of themselves. They have that smile, that glow, when they know they have worked hard and succeeded. Nothing tops that for me.
What’s your favorite app right now- for you- and for your kids? I confess, I am not a huge app person. Not sure it counts as an app, but my girls like to practice math problems on the computer. So I encourage that! For me, I would say I am a big fan of the JoyRide app and the Amazon app.
What’s your can’t live without beauty product? My coveted perfume. My two closest friends did an “intervention” a few years ago. I have been wearing the same perfume for about 21 years and they caught me literally bathing in it. They promised me that they liked my perfume, but they gently suggested I should consider using less of it. I recently went to my college reunion and all of my classmates said, “You still smell like you!!!” I will never change my perfume.
What’s your favorite restaurant for a family dinner? A night out with friends? For a family dinner, the kids and I love Spotted Horse. For a night out with friends, I head to The Whelk.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I think that most people look at me and see someone who is always on the go. I get up early to exercise, I work long days, I am constantly on the move. But, what may be surprising is that I truly love to sleep.
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what do you think your career path might have been? I think I would have either gone to medical school to become a doctor or gotten certified to teach. When I was living in New York City, I taught physical therapy at a local college and there was a big teaching component as part of my job when I was at New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical Center. I enjoy learning and sharing my knowledge.
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted – what would you do? 24 hours to do whatever I wanted. Wow. Let’s see, I would sleep in and then I would plan to go workout. I would take 2 classes back-to-back because my work schedule never lets me do that. After that, I would go for a full body massage, which would be a real treat since my work is so physical so some part of my body is always hurting. I would probably indulge in a facial as well and then go home and take a nap (remember – I love to sleep!!!). After my nap, I would plan a nice dinner out with my husband at some fancy restaurant that would require us both getting dressed up!
What is your most marked characteristic? My sensitivity. I’m affected a lot by what’s going on around me. And I think that makes me a better mother, a better friend, and a better therapist. I have a lot of empathy.
What do you most value in your friends? Their trust. That is so important to me.
What is your greatest regret? That I didn’t have a third child. I was 40 when I had my second, and I guess my husband and I felt a little overwhelmed and concerned by our age. But, I should have pushed for it – I love babies, I love everything about a newborn …their smell, their skin, their hair. I also loved being pregnant and I loved breastfeeding. I wish I got to do it one more time.
What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other moms? Practice patience. It goes a long way and it breeds confidence in our children. And, admittedly, it’s something I need to work on. I am a very patient physical therapist, but I’m not a very patient mother. I am most definitely a work in progress in that area!
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? I think where I am today in my job is the result of hard work, perseverance, and true passion. I really love what I do. I come home from treating my patients, and I do my homework. I do a lot of research, and I find articles that are relevant to my patients. I prepare tirelessly for their next session. It sounds grueling, but it’s possible because I love what I do and I’m committed to what I do for my patients.
Meet Dori If you don’t know Dori, founder of Hands on at Home Physical Therapy, you are missing out! With an unrivalled knowledge about anatomy and the human body, Dori is one of Fairfield County’s most favorite physical therapists, who happens to deliver her care in the comfort of patients’ homes. She is also a Westport mom, who is dedicated to her community. Most recently Dori donated her services at the Run Till Valhalla 5K, (a benefit run on behalf of the Westport Police Benevolent Association and the Catch A Lift Fund) and JoyRide’s Pinktober Pedal for a Cure fundraising event.
