~Freedom~

Three days ago 38 employees of the AbilityOne Program traveled to Capitol Hill to talk about the importance of employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. Bob Chamberlain spoke of this encounter as "eye-opening experience". He also added that he has repeatedly witnessed the dedication of AbilityOne's employees to their jobs and their employers, and he recognized the importance of the opportunity of being able to enter or reenter the workforce after years of being denied employment. It is an important thing for the disabled population to be able to acquire jobs. We need to be able to live as independently as possible. I personally can’t wait to enter the workforce. I believe there is a stereotype attached to being completely dependent on others for the necessities in life. You are seen of as less of yourself as a person and more of an extension of the person who is providing you with what you need. I am 24 years old and I still live with my parents. I will continue to do so until I graduate from college. I look forward to the day when I will be able to financially support myself and move out of my parents’ home. It will be a big step forward.