This week, I was launched into work at ARC. ARC has five different locations around Columbus that all provide a variety of services to people with disabilities. Last week, I spent the majority of my time at the main campus for training and introductions. However, this week, I was sent out to their East location, where I was able to spend time with different people and immerse myself into the community. On Tuesday, I shadowed the ASPIRE program, which is a program where one staff member and a group of four participants go out into the community all day.

This week, the participants wanted to go shopping at Walmart and visit the library. We started the day going into Walmart to pick up some Lipton Peach Tea for one of the participants. He was extremely excited for this particular tea, so much so that he actually convinced me to buy some myself to try (10/10 would recommend, very refreshing summer beverage). While checking out, the staff member I was shadowing encouraged him to run the self checkout by himself– from scanning to counting the coins and inserting them at the time of payment. The staff member later explained to me that often people with disabilities are not given the opportunity to complete tasks like that on their own. Many people simply assume they aren’t capable and they don’t practice enough patience to let them try.

Next, we went to the library, where we helped a participant get her first ever library card! First of all, I would like to recommend the library as a fun new summer hangout spot. I forgot how cool libraries are, I mean, you literally can take books… for free! Anyway, after we got her signed up for her library card, she browsed the CD and DVD section, where she picked out a Pink Floyd CD and a Barbie movie as her first rentals. When we walked out of the library, she asked us to play the CD in the van so she could share the listening experience with us and her friends.

I know these trips don’t seem like the most exciting things ever, but it was one of the most rewarding days I have had in a long time. I felt like I was doing something that mattered. Though they were small tasks, I saw how independent and capable they felt after completing them.

The rest of the week, I was in leadership development meetings and even got the opportunity to sit in on some meetings with the CEO of ARC. I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to see first hand how the business side of things worked, as well as actually getting out into the field to see the every day activity as well.