Get to Know Our Founder and Executive Director

Name: Stephanie Gelinas

Title: Founder/Executive Director/Speech-Language Pathologist

What year did you join SCES/LAHC as an employee? Opened its doors on May 6, 1996

If you’ve held multiple positions, please list them here: In addition to the above, I do clinical supervision and can also be found plunging toilets when the need arises

Where are you from originally? Born and raised in Lewiston

Do you have siblings? YES! I have an older brother, 2 older sisters, a younger brother and a younger sister

Are you a twin? Not that I know of

Do you have children? I have 6

Grandchildren? Waiting on grandbaby #10!

Do you have pets? 3 dogs and 1 cat

Why did you choose a career in speech language pathology (SLP)? I choose my career in large part because I was blessed with the opportunity to grow up alongside my younger sister, Cindy who has Down Syndrome. I was fascinated at a very young age at what her SLP did.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Seeing the smiling faces of children and hearing testimony from families who share the positive impact we have had with their families.

What question do clients/patients/parents ask you most often? How long do you think my child will need therapy? Do you think we can get him/her up to where they need to be before kindergarten?

Do you specialize in any particular area? My areas of interest are autism and sign language and Down Syndrome

What is your favorite restaurant in Lewiston or Auburn? Fish Bones Grill in Lewiston

Do you have a favorite place in Maine? Southwest Harbor

What are your hobbies and leisure time activities? I love to be outdoors, especially with my family – I love to travel and read and engage in any athletic activity, especially triathlons

Do you play a musical instrument, or sing? I LOVE to sing in my car, at church, in the shower, when I am home alone!

Have you ever played a sport, adult league or back in school? I was a cheerleader, swimmer, and to this day love swimming, biking and running

What type of music is playing on your car radio? Christian or 70/80’s

Coffee or tea? coffee

Lake, pool or ocean? Ocean

Snuggled up with a book or watching a movie? Snuggled up with a book

Night in or night out on the town? Depends – I love both, although admittedly as I get older seem to be enjoying more nights in

Flower garden, vegetable garden or neither? Flower gardens – they are part of my self therapy!

If you could have any super power what would it be? To cure the disease of addiction

If you could have dinner with 3 people (living or deceased) who would they be? Jesus, my grandfather, Mother Teresa.

What is your favorite vacation destination? Costa Rica

Do you like to cook? Nope

What is your favorite thing to cook? I do like baking Christmas cookies

Have you ever run a 5K, ½ or full marathon? I have run many 5K’s and would love to work up to a half marathon before I turn 60

If you could do any job in the world for one day what would you do? Rock babies who are born into the world drug affected

What is your favorite movie? Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer

What is your favorite book? Bible

Your favorite quote is: Today is a new day – go get it!

What is the most rewarding part of your involvement with our agency? Realizing the positive impact we have on so many families

What would you like people to know about Sandcastle and LA Hearing Center? I would want people to know that we have a team of professionals hear, with open hearts and open minds, ready to help families in need. I would want them to know that at our agency, they will find hope and promise for their children and will feel supported and encouraged!