ASHLEY E. EMBRY: ILS teaches experience in life
Independent Living Services Inc. means many different things to many different people. For one person, it may merely be an employment opportunity to get some extra money, or, for a person with developmental disabilities, it could be the chance of a lifetime to take the first step toward living independently in the community. For me, ILS began as a summer job, but ended up being a life-changing experience.
I decided to work for ILS for the first time during the summer of 2003 following my freshman year at Spelman College. I came home, as many college students do, without a job for the summer. After waiting and waiting for a reply to my several requests/applications for employment, my mother, Carlila Embry, came home with a job offer: I would be working in the administrative office of ILS as a temporary assistant. I was extremely appreciative to Marian Rodgers (financial manager) and Jackie Fliss (executive director) for opening and welcoming me into the doors of ILS, but my mother was seemingly overjoyed. She knew a little bit more than I about how this could potentially impact my life.
On my first day, I walked in and met everyone in the office, but one person won my attention a little faster than the others, a big, tall, white-haired lady with a huge presence who goes by the name of Mary Parks (accountant). After getting to know her, I quickly understood exactly why I was working at ILS: I was on a collision course with an angel. I affectionately call her "My Miss Mary." Miss Mary introduced me to a feisty redhead, Miss Liz (accountant), who in turn introduced me to her daughter, Little Mary. Through these three amazing ladies, I have experienced unconditional love, everlasting support and unending happiness and laughter. And I haven't even gotten to the consumers yet.
Several years ago, my mother presented me to four ladies who were consumers at Dennison House, an ILS home where she was the house manager. She slowly began to include them into our family gatherings like Saturday morning breakfast and holiday dinners, and, eventually, they were just like family to all of us. So, by the time that I was actually employed at ILS, I knew and had already interacted with several of the consumers.
After actually working there, I soon met Dean, a consumer who would end up being the sunshine of all my days. Dean's personality, politeness, heartfelt sincerity and brilliant smile touched my heart the very moment I saw him. I felt such an incredible joy in meeting a person so untainted by the petty things in life and so driven by the innocence and all the beautiful things that come with it.
Soon, I realized that this joy would be the reigning feeling I'd have almost every time that I would encounter a consumer. I consider it a privilege and a wonderful gift to be in their presence. Seeing them every day was a definite highlight of my summer.
It is extremely rare to find an organization like Independent Living Services Inc. that is so family-oriented and led by such compassionate people, and that is why I will continue to work for and support ILS for as long as I can. I have seen the organization from the inside out, and my love and respect for it has only grown. I am honored to pay a tribute to ILS because it has given me so much more than I ever could have asked for: work experience, friends and a renewed desire to contribute to and change the community.
The employees, staff and consumers of ILS are, in one word, extraordinary and I am so proud to have been a part of their team.
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(EDITOR'S NOTE: Ashley E. Embry is a Conway resident.)