Twin sisters, grads separately chose recreational therapy programs

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.

As children experiencing visual impairment and a rare health condition, twin sisters Candice and Crystal Sipe participated in recreational therapy to momentarily set aside their medical issues and enjoy expressing themselves.

During hospital stays, Candice would sing, dance and move along with her therapists, not knowing that one day she and Crystal would be earning degrees in the field, and would soon teach others how to sing, dance and move, too.

As they started to plan their careers, the two — who have a rare genetic form of albinism known as Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome — explored options for academic study. Each did not know the other was also choosing recreational therapy.

The two Surprise, Arizona, residents are fall 2024 School of Community Resources and Development Outstanding Graduates, each earning a Bachelor of Science in recreational therapy.

The Sipes were born in India and adopted as infants by their American parents, who raised them in the Phoenix area. Their mother and father chose Greenway High School for their secondary education because its campus layout was easily negotiable for their visually impaired daughters.

The twins attended Glendale Community College before enrolling at ASU.

Candice said she remembers recreational therapy helped her and her sister “get involved in some positivity” and put aside their medical challenges for a while. “I never thought, as a child, that I would see myself as a recreational therapist as an adult,” she said.

“We didn’t tell each other,” Crystal said. “Looking at the career options, I was researching it without knowing she was researching it! We thought, you were supposed to be in something different.”

As young adults, the sisters formed a Christian ministry called Angels in Voice, where for nearly 20 years they have performed in churches, independent living centers and local events. Performing helped them build confidence, communication skills and leadership abilities, Crystal said.

The Foundation for Blind Children, which served the sisters when they were preschoolers, hired them as music teachers in 2022, where they spent a year working with children experiencing blindness and other visual impairments.

While they enjoyed singing, they said they wanted to pursue something that would allow them to be more financially stable.

Once they become certified recreational therapists, they plan to start a business together that brings music, dance and fitness to the visually impaired community. They also want to create videos and audio recordings for visually impaired people.

Crystal said she and her sister owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to their parents.

“If it wasn’t for their support to allow us to be involved in recreational activities as children, dancing since we were six, music lessons — that was so important. We wouldn’t be doing this today,” she said. “A lot of parents don’t support their children. But our parents wanted us to dance, to sing.”

Read on to learn more about their ASU journeys.

Note: Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Candice: The moment happened when I was a part of a six-month adult comprehensive training program for my visual impairment through the Foundation for Blind Children. The program offered job readiness — individualized instruction that helped students seek out future opportunities. I knew I wanted to go back to school to pursue a degree, and the instructor had me take the Myers-Briggs personality test and another personality test that would help guide me in choosing the best job vocation for me.

Out of the top three job careers, recreational therapy was on the list. I began my research on it, as the job description piqued my curiosity. I have always had a desire to serve the community and share my passions of music, dance and fitness. I realized in this field that I could use my passions to make a difference in the lives of others.

Crystal: The moment happened at a time in my life when I was looking for change. I have always considered myself to be social and enjoy establishing connections. I was in a job readiness program seven years ago when I took a couple of personality tests, one being the Myers-Briggs test that gave me several career options, one being recreational therapy. I had never heard of it (as a career) before, but after researching it, I felt it was the perfect job vocation for me.

My desire has always been to serve others, and my goal is to help my future clients/patients work through their obstacles to reach optimal health and wellness. It is inspiring knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of others, and that is what brings me great joy and fulfillment. Recreational therapy is innovative and creative, as it offers a personalized approach that is tailored to meet individuals’ interests and needs. I appreciate how I can create musical activities to enhance self-expression, social interaction and cognitive development.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

Candice: I believe being able to apply the knowledge and the skills in the classroom and transition them into a hands-on internship allows me to have firsthand experience in a real environment that will help set me up successfully as a professional. The internship at The Beatitudes — a senior living community — taught me the importance of recreational therapy, as there is such a calling for it. These are real people in real life situations and I often ponder how can I help use my professional skills and knowledge to better support them in their challenges.

Crystal: It was one day in Professor Kelly Ramella’s RTH 406 class that captured my attention when each classmate was asked to research a model. I was assigned the self-determination engagement and enhancement model by John Dattilo. I found this model to be intriguing, so I was happy to further study it. I was able to connect with the model’s principle and how, in order to find enjoyment in leisure activities, we must begin with the determination to participate in activities that bring us personal pleasure and satisfaction. I learned what intrinsic motivation means and autonomy — freedom of choice — and how it is used in recreational therapy to promote sense of control, positive reinforcement and skill development.

Q: Which professor(s) taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

Crystal: Speaking for both of us, each professor had something valuable that I drew from. I appreciated Professor Eric Legg’s enthusiasm for the complex material in PRM 402 and breaking it down in simpler terms for people like myself to understand. ... Professor Kelly Ramella has always been supportive when we met her 2 years ago. She saw value in our work ethic and dedication to recreational therapy and how we both had a passion to network and build rapport with others. She asked both Candice and I to step out of our comfort zone to become co-vice presidents of the (recreational therapy) student club. … Professor Christina Coleman was both our professor and advisor over the club, and she guided and supported us in the journey as we sought out organizations to connect with. … She has always been an encouragement throughout our academic journey and has accommodated our disability. Professor Beth Dietrich provided great insight, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her students.

Candice: I would also like to add how I just completed my seventh hospital admission, and professors Ramella and Coleman have continued to rally around my unpredictable health challenges. They have stood by me in complete support. I cannot thank them enough for allowing me to take time to work through the healing process I so desperately need. They created a plan (that is) possible for me (to) continue to focus on my academic goals so I would be able to graduate this December.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

Crystal: Never give up; keep working toward your goals. Embrace learning, and do not be afraid to make mistakes, as they provide valuable learning experiences. Have fun and enjoy the experience; make the most of your academic journey, and create special moments to celebrate small and great achievements.

This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that enables you to learn about yourself, which enhances knowledge and growth. Seek out opportunities to network and build connections with as many others as you can.

Candice: View failures as opportunities to grow, and do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to experience new things. Practice self-care, finding the balance to spend time engaging in activities you enjoy. Find a good study spot, a place that is quiet where you can get the most work done. Developing time management skills is essential. Create consistency in a structured schedule to break down big and small tasks. Prioritize to be successful. Always remember to stay optimistic, and remain focused on your academic goals and learning. Do not be afraid to ask for help, seek clarification from professors, peers and resources for the best possible guidance.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

Candice: As someone with a disability living with a rare condition, one of my greatest passions is to raise awareness about rare diseases. Many rare conditions suffer from a lack of public and governmental awareness. A portion of the funds would go to raising awareness, advocating for more research and ensuring that rare disease patients have a voice. Allowing my voice to be heard and advocating for my rights and needs is one of things I continuously fight for.

Crystal: (I would) support multidisciplinary research. I would fund research for rare diseases that currently have limited funding. This could include supporting basic science, clinical trials, new drugs, therapies for patient care that may lead to new treatments or cures. Candice and I are a part of a clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. We were patients two and three to represent our rare condition, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS), as we helped open the protocol to start research for HPS in November 1995. With approximately 2,000 people diagnosed nationwide, we are thankful to have NIH as a place of research as well as several other medical clinics throughout the United States that are also involved in research for HPS.

In addition, I strongly believe in the importance of establishing partnerships with top universities and specialized research centers around the world, as well as attending medical conferences, promoting rare conditions and educating the public. My passion is for my voice to be heard and find a cure one day for our genetic rare condition.