This month, DSP Ashley Noe is highlighted.  Ashley has worked as a DSP for LDS at the Coffee Table for a year and a half.  Having had many opportunities to visit this site, I affirm that Ashley is excellent at her work and an incredibly gifted DSP.  Participants, co-workers, and family members hold her in high regard.  Her personal qualities and investments contribute greatly to the success of this program.

Q:  What initially attracted you to become a DSP?  I actually just stumbled upon this field.  I graduated from U of L with a degree in art and was looking for work.  A friend told me about this job and it sounded interesting, so I came and observed the program.  As I got to know the participants, I quickly fell in love with them.

Q:  What do you enjoy most about your work?  I enjoy giving the participants enough guidance that they are able to express themselves through the artwork, but not so much guidance that they become overly dependant on me.  It’s nice when the participants can have a real sense of accomplishment.

Q:  What are the biggest challenge(s) you face in your job?  I would say the physical and emotional energy that this job requires day in and day out.  This is emotional work because you form attachments with the people you support.

Q:  How do you measure your success?  If the people I serve are getting out into the community and reaching their fullest potential, then I feel like I have been successful.  It is rewarding to watch the participants express themselves by creating high quality artwork and then to watch them celebrate their accomplishments.  It’s also nice when I receive positive feedback from family members who are grateful for my work.

Q:  Have your family/friends been supportive of you working in this field?  Definitely!  Several have visited the site to see first hand what I do.  Now, some have stated that they never could do this kind of work, but they have been very supportive of me working in this capacity.

Q:  How has working in this field affected/changed your life? Working as a DSP has made me a more compassionate person.  It has reversed some of the perceptions that I had both about people with disabilities and without disabilities.  This job has opened my eyes to a whole new world.

Q:  What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?  I have a growing interest in physical therapy.  I definitely want to continue working with this population.  Physical therapy would allow me to make a little more money and it would also allow me to improve people’s mobility and thus their overall wellbeing.

Q:  What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?  Strawberry.

Q:  What is the last CD you purchased?  Blond Redhead (genre: Indie Rock)

Q:  What kind of vehicle do you drive?  A 91’ Astro Minivan with peeling gray paint.

Q:  What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?  I occasionally work in clay.  I hang out with friends, do yoga a few times a week, that’s pretty much it.

What co-workers and participants say about Ashley:

Ashley is awesome.  She lives out our values and mission.  She’s logical, rational, and very informative.  I enjoy working with her and have grown to love her.  Her personality is contagious.
–Erin MacDonald (co-worker)
She makes a big difference here.  She comes up with a lot of good new ideas.  She’s creative.  She’s really nice.  She listens to me and is a real good friend.  She’s the best worker we’ve had here so far. –Julie B. (participant)

Ashley is a very talented artist who is empathetic and exceeds her assigned duties.  She motivates me to be my best.
–Shelley Plessinger (co-worker)

Article Written By: Jeff King