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CASA Volunteers
Dr. Sandra Moore

Dr. Sandra Moore, CASA's December Volunteer of the Month, knew for years she would have to help children and even learned Spanish in preparation for her role as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

"This is a world of child abuse, neglect, courtrooms and lawyers, dysfunctional parents, drug addicts and governmental system bureaucracies. But it is also a world of truly gratifying experiences," the surgeon said.

Dr. Moore has been an advocate since 2006 and like many advocates, has a feeling of making a difference.

"Fortunately, she said, "it seems to matter what we do and say. Even though we are just volunteers, people actually listen to us."

CASA Casework Supervisor Sharon Lloyd calls Sandy a dedicated advocate.

"She frequently comes to court after already completing her surgical duties for the day. Recently she has a hugely-contested hearing that was scheduled the same day she herself was going to be a patient for eye surgery. I didn't expect her to show, but when the case was called, there she was - eye patch and all - sitting in court," Sharon said.

Sandy Moore reflects on her most difficult case. "I am a person that likes an answer, so the most difficult case for me is where there just isn't a good solution."

She has a case of twins that have been in and out of the system for years and will age out in two years. They are not living with their grandparents, who Sandy considers their best role models.

"They have a mother that is a cold fish and a father that sells them on the internet, she said.
"I don't see them getting a good picture of relationships."

She considers her best case one in which a child's life was saved.

The child was taken into the foster system and her parents relinquished their rights. "She has medical problems," the doctor said, "and would not have survived her natural parents."


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