Meet Leeann Ditomaso & Samantha Paros

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leeann Ditomaso & Samantha Paros a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

LeeAnn DiTomaso & Samantha Paros, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Our journey to finding purpose began with a series of meaningful experiences that opened our eyes to the impact we could make. From the moment we witnessed the beauty of S2C, we realized that with a lot of hard work & dedication, we could transform lives. Each experience deepened our understanding of others’ struggles, igniting a passion for services that aligned with our values. As we shared our time and resources, we discovered not only the joy of making a difference but also the profound fulfillment that comes from fostering connection and hope in the nonspeaking community. This realization solidified our commitment to a life dedicated to uplifting others, enriching our own lives in the process.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Access S2C, founded by LeeAnn DiTomaso and Samantha Paros in Cleveland, Ohio, specializes in Spelling to Communicate (S2C), a technique designed to help nonspeakers break through communication barriers by pointing to letters on a board. This method not only enhances communication but also promotes synchrony between the brain and body, facilitating the development of new neural pathways through repetitive practice. By focusing on the essential motor skills required for accurate letter pointing, nonspeakers can significantly improve their motor planning and control, thereby expressing their thoughts and ideas more effectively and efficiently.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three most impactful skills in our journey at Access S2C were effective communication, strategic planning, and community engagement. Effective communication allowed us to build strong relationships amongst each other, our clients/families, and team members, cultivating collaboration and trust. Strategic planning enabled us to set clear goals and navigate challenges, ensuring sustainability and growth. Lastly, community engagement was crucial in creating a loyal client base and understanding the needs of nonspeakers, which ultimately drove the success of Access S2C.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

At times, we become bombarded with phone calls, emails, consultations, meetings, etc. When feeling overwhelmed, taking a step back and prioritizing ourselves & our Spellers can be incredibly helpful. We tend to lean on each other & support/encourage one another through those tough patches. That’s what makes us a great team. We’ve found it essential to set realistic boundaries and learn to say no or postpone tasks that may be contributing to feelings of overwhelm. Working with our clients almost always helps us shift focus and regain clarity.