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Background

Ashley spends her days with a group of adults that are unable to care for themselves. She puts her heart and soul into their needs and takes pride in what she does. This is her story:

Dailey Life

Working with disabled adults can often be a challenge. It’s not exactly like working with children, but it has its parallels. There is constant vigilance to ensure no one is getting themselves into trouble, but there’s also that consistent rewarding feeling that only the working with the truly innocent can really give you.

Ashley works full time at the Arlington Adult Education program for individuals with severe disabilities. She has a range of students including those that are entirely nonverbal and require a sign language translator. Ashley prioritize teaching her students life skills, and takes weekly field trips to unique places such as the Federal Bureau of Engraving and Printing to learn about money, the local bowling alley to teach them about how to lose with dignity, and the cosmetology school to learn about hygiene. Each experience is unique and creative as she comes up with different ways to help them be more independent in a difficult world.

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Her Perspective

She feels life is meant to be used up in service. It’s not the highest paying job and there’s a lot of challenges that come with it. It’s by no means easy, but she feels the reward is worth the challenge.

Living a life of service is what brings her the greatest joy, and making that connection that she would never have been able to do in any other way with these unique individuals gives a satisfaction many in life crave, but few ever really find.

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