Original MTC: https://www.curefa.org/meet-the-community/meet-the-community-abby-y
Name: Abby G.
Please share any updates since your last interview: My first interview was in 2014, when I was about to start my sophomore year of college. Since then, I graduated with a degree in Political Science, I began working full-time, I moved into my own apartment, and adopted a cat (her name is Edith). The biggest and best thing that has happened to me? I got married!! I met my husband, Josh, in March of 2020 and we got married in March of 2022.
Another thing I am extremely proud of is that in August of 2022, I got my driver’s license. I took several months of training in a car equipped with hand controls. After I got my license, Josh and I sent our recently-purchased van to get modified with a ramp and the same controls I trained with. As of today, June 22, 2023, I’ve had my fully modified van for a little over a month. I drive to work every day and wherever else I please. The independence and freedom is unmatched and I couldn’t have done it without the support of Josh.
What has your career looked like since graduation? I worked for state and local courts for four years before recently accepting a job as a paralegal with a state agency.
When did you start your current position? In May of 2023. My career within the legal field began in July of 2019.
What do you enjoy most about your job? I really enjoy the technical aspect. Knowing and learning the nitty gritty of legal filings, as well as the ins and outs of the state agency is exciting to me.
Does FA impact this? Not so much as a paralegal. As a court clerk it did because there was a lot more to do in a smaller window of time. My performance was very impacted because I’m slower with typing. With the agency I’m in now, typing skills are not as prevalent and my job is more knowledge-based as opposed to typing-based.
Tell us more about your career: My degree is in Political Science because I wanted to be an advocate for people with disabilities. I had a specific interest in wanting to work with lawmakers. I did get a job as an advocate shortly after graduation and worked with the company for a little over a year. I quickly realized I did not want to go down that path. I wanted to just be Abby in the workplace, not Abby with the disability. Since then, I found a passion within the legal field. I’m content as a paralegal and hope to work my way up through the agency I’m in. I’m very proud of where I am because I’ve worked very hard to get here. Having a career and FA is not easy (mainly due to fatigue), but it’s so worth it to look back and see all I’ve accomplished.
Interviewed by
Mary Nadon Scott
Please note that this post represents an individual’s experience and is not medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about the safest and best way to manage your FA diagnosis.