The plane’s wheels hit the tarmac in Bangor, ME. The cabin door opened, and a rush of cold air bit his face. Sixteen-year-old Mr. Earl stepped off the plane, his breath catching as he saw snow for the first time—falling softly, endlessly. The air was sharp, cold. Energy buzzed around him, maybe from the chill, maybe from the unknown. Life was shifting.
Fourteen years ago, he left the sweltering tropics of the Philippines behind, trading monsoon seasons for Maine’s icy Nor’easters. It wasn’t just the weather that was new—it was everything. He stood on the brink of a new world. It was a leap, a paradigm shift.
Here how it started:
Mr. Earl didn’t attend high school in the U.S. College was supposed to be his fresh start, but instead, it became a long, winding road. He struggled. He failed. He drifted. Five years in, he had little to show. Algebra? Failed. Chemistry? Failed. His confidence? Gone. On a dull afternoon in chemistry class, he stared at his prerequisites. He thought about quitting. Nursing was the obvious path, an expectation in Filipino culture where caregiving is woven into the fabric of life. But it didn’t feel right. He wanted something different. Something more.
And then he found it.
Occupational therapy.
That single discovery sparked hope. He transferred to Husson University, enrolling in healthcare administration with dreams of entering the OT graduate program. At Husson, he met Patricia Menzie, a secretary in the OT department. She became his guide. She arranged meetings. She helped him gather documents. She pointed him to Dr. Mouradian, the OT Program Director. Step by step, she helped him move forward.
Before graduation, he faced another challenge: clinical rotations in Houlton, ME. Housing was scarce. He spent nights in a motel. Then a week at Brother's Campground, operated by Mr. Art Nickel, who was battling heart issues at the time. Despite his health struggles, Mr. Nickel extended compassion, offering Mr. Earl a spot in his in-law shed rather than leaving him to tent during a rainy May. Rain poured, but compassion shone through. Later, at another off-grid campground in Linneus, Mr. Lenny, a carpenter, let him stay in his basement. Each act of kindness kept him going.
Then came Living Waters, a summer camp that needed volunteers. He answered the call. There, his faith grew stronger. Things started to click. Prayers were answered.
In the winter of 2020, he rotated through Brewer Community School. He shadowed experienced OTs like Scott and Erin. He learned. He adapted. He grew. It had taken almost a decade, but at last, he was ready to graduate. Then COVID struck. No ceremony. No closure. Just a quiet milestone in the midst of a global storm.
Still, something felt missing. Mr. Earl knew he had more to learn. So he did. He invested in seminars on primitive reflexes and trained advanced manual therapy techniques. In 2023, he opened Sensory Therapy Place, an outpatient clinic in Brewer, ME.
Today, Sensory Therapy Place is more than just a clinic—it’s a testament to resilience, compassion, and purpose. It’s a place where healing is not linear but a journey, where progress happens by staying in the present moment and meeting individuals exactly where they are. It’s a space where struggles are embraced, and growth becomes possible. Together, step by step, lives are transformed.
Mr. Earl’s journey is a reminder that no matter how long the road or how steep the climb, perseverance pays off. Dreams don’t come to life overnight. They take grit. They take heart. They take a belief that every struggle has a purpose. As Seth Godin teaches, success is not a solo act—it’s about building a tribe, a community that uplifts each other, works together, and believes in a shared vision. It’s the collective effort that creates lasting change.
Mr.Earl isn't just an occupational therapist. He’s committed to unlocking potential, guiding individuals to see the greatness within themselves, and helping them step boldly into the life they’re meant to live—not being carried away by a diagnosis or negative beliefs and allowing them to define our lives. His mission goes beyond prognosis; it’s about empowering each person to discover the REAL you—the version that’s strong, capable, and ready to thrive.
To you, standing at the crossroads: Keep going. Take the next step. The path may be unclear, but it leads somewhere extraordinary. Trust the process. Embrace the journey. Healing takes time, but every step forward, no matter how small, moves you closer to where you’re meant to be.
Together, we’ll get there. Side by side. Hand in hand. Building, dreaming, and transforming—one moment, one life at a time.