By Katy Sursa | Interview with Jessica Jones

From a tearful first week in supported housing to purchasing her own home and building a healthcare career, Jessica Jones’ journey is a powerful disability independence success story — one that proves what’s possible when courage meets community support.

Today, Jessica is a respected healthcare professional and homeowner. But her path to independence began with uncertainty, growth, and a life-changing opportunity.

From Small-Town Beginnings to New Possibilities

Jessica graduated from high school in 2006 in Wynne, Arkansas. Like many graduates, she dreamed about college and life beyond her hometown. When she turned 18, her family introduced her to United Cerebral Palsy of Arkansas — now known as Achieve Community Alliance.

She joined the organization’s community living program, stepping into supported housing for the first time.

“I cried during that first week,” Jessica recalls — not out of fear, but from the overwhelming transition. After a sheltered upbringing, living alongside other people with disabilities felt unfamiliar.

But what started as discomfort quickly became a transformation. With support from staff and peers, Jessica developed:

• Self-advocacy skills
• Independent daily living routines
• Confidence in decision-making
• A sense of belonging

She discovered that independence isn’t a single achievement; it’s built one habit at a time.

Building Skills and Earning a Degree

While living in supported housing, Jessica enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, earning a degree in Sociology. Balancing academics with life skills development required determination. She strengthened:

• Time management
• Transportation coordination
• Communication skills
• Personal accountability

“Achieve Community was a steppingstone for me while I worked toward my undergraduate degree,” she says. The program didn’t replace her effort — it amplified it.

With stable housing and structured support, Jessica graduated and transitioned into workforce development through Achieve Employment.

From Apartment Living to Homeownership

After college, Jessica reached a major milestone: signing the lease on her first apartment. But she wanted more than temporary independence; she wanted permanence. Through Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas, Jessica pursued homeownership. The process required financial planning, patience, and commitment. Ultimately, she purchased a custom-built home designed around accessibility and long-term independence. “I’m proud to say I’m a homeowner,” she beams.

For Jessica, pride isn’t about status; it’s about stewardship:

• Paying bills on time
• Maintaining her household
• Managing transportation
• Building long-term stability

Her disability homeownership story reflects what’s possible when supported living evolves into sustainable independence.

A Career in Healthcare: Redefining Expectations

Today, Jessica works at Baptist Health Medical Center’s Rehab Unit as a unit secretary. She coordinates patient charts, supports clinical workflows, and ensures operations run smoothly. Colleagues describe her as dependable, organized, and compassionate.

Sometimes patients are surprised to see a healthcare professional who uses a wheelchair. Jessica responds with clarity and confidence: “My disability doesn’t define me or limit me. I am a loyal friend, sister, classmate, and employee. My wheelchair doesn’t stop me from living, working, and serving others.” Her presence challenges assumptions and broadens perspectives.

Life Without Limits: Jessica’s Advice for Others

Jessica lives by a simple but powerful principle: believe in yourself and keep going. She carries forward Achieve’s motto — Life Without Limits — not as a slogan, but as a strategy.

Her advice:

• Don’t let disability define your future.
• Set a goal.
• Take the next small step.
• Repeat.

“Never doubt your abilities or stop trying,” she adds. “You are more than the conditions that try to limit you. Keep pushing forward, because you are capable of more than you realize.”