If you visit the Aspire office on a typical afternoon, you might see Michael moving through the hallway with a stack of mail in his hands and a quiet sense of purpose in his stride. He stops at each desk, exchanges a greeting, and continues along his route. But there was a time when those steps were much harder to take.
After so much time away from his usual routines because of the pandemic, Michael’s mobility declined, and his world felt smaller. Instead of rushing to make big changes, his team focused on steady progress. A pedometer became a small but powerful tool in helping Michael reconnect with movement. In the beginning, he was taking about eight hundred steps a day. Then he took a few more. Then a few more. Each increase showed that Michael was rebuilding strength at a pace that honored his comfort and his goals.
As Michael made steady progress with movement, that same approach began to shape other parts of his daily life. Delivering mail inside the Aspire office is now part of his weekly routine. He organizes the envelopes, follows his route, and is greeted by name along the way. The same is true during his weekly trip to the bank. Michael signs his paycheck himself with the help of a premade stamp, walks up to the teller window, and completes the transaction with confidence. These are celebrations of independence wrapped into simple routines, and his smile in those moments says everything.
The same determination that helped Michael build new routines in his daily life also led him to something bigger. With support from his family, he visited the New Hampshire State House in Concord to stand alongside others calling for stronger funding for essential disability services, including better pay for direct support professionals. For Michael, it was a meaningful way to show his support for the people who support him.
Throughout this journey, Emily, an Aspire direct support professional, has been by his side as both a steady presence and a thoughtful partner. She took the time to understand who Michael is, what motivates him, and how he learns best. When his family expressed concerns about health needs, Emily completed additional training so she could recognize changes early and ensure his safety while still involving him in decisions about his own care. When medical appointments are needed, she accompanies him so he feels informed and supported. This is the heart of person-centered support. It’s not measured only by goals completed, but by how empowered someone feels to make choices, take ownership of their routines, and be recognized for who they are.
Michael’s journey isn’t defined by the challenges that came before, but by how he chooses to continue to move boldly through the world. He’s active in his community, building relationships, and increasingly managing responsibilities that matter to him. If you or someone you care about is seeking more independence, more connection, and more opportunities to live a fulfilling life, Aspire’s community programs may be the next step. Learn more and get in touch at https://allinc.org/community-participation/.
