“What if one day, you wake up and find yourself in a wheelchair, how will you feel?”

Celebrating 18 years with Hope Services, Melisa shares her experiences and the profound impact of Hope’s programs, from finding support and friendship to landing a cherished job at the front desk. Her story is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together.

When did you Join Hope Services?

I joined Hope’s family on June 21st, 2005. On June 21, 2023, I will have spent 18 years at Hope Services. Throughout, my time here at Hope, I have enjoyed all the support, gained friends, and most importantly got a job at the front desk which, I do Fridays once a month. I am so grateful for my job.

What has been your most memorable experience here at Hope Services?

Knowing that I can get a job and get support without any judgment itself is enough for me. I love to come to Hope every day, and in the last 18 years, I have been coming here five days a week. Because Hope Services is like a family to me, I have even encouraged my cousin to enroll her child in EMCC program because I think Hope is the right place to help realize your dreams as an individual with a disability.

If you could share three things you like about EMCC what would it be?

There are so many things I love about Hope and EMCC in particular.

1. I love coming to this program every day, I enjoy waking up to come to this program. The feeling is so special when I know that I am coming to Hope.
2. I love going to the community with my friends. I am not going out as much as I want, but when I do, it means a lot to me.
3. I love my job, and I enjoy training new clients on the job. I feel valued and respected when Stacy, Julie, or Melisa R asks me to train new front desk clients. I have been on this job for seven years, and I am so proud of my job.

What else do you want people to know about you?

I want people to know that at the age of 11 years, I was put in a wheelchair, but before that, I was using a cane or a walker to move. My life hasn’t been easy. I want people to understand that being in a wheelchair is very difficult experience, there are so many things I would want to do, but I can’t. I will leave you with this question. What if one day, you wake up and find yourself in a wheelchair, how will you feel?