Kudos to United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin for Shaping Ashley Parkhurst's Success Story

UCP of West Central Wisconsin is credited in a WEAU.com story that profiles Ashley Parkhurst, an inspiring young woman with spastic cerebral palsy. The affiliate helped Ashley and her family pay for some of the expensive equipment she needs, helping her to live a life without limits.

According to Ruth Gullerud, CEO and Executive Director of UCP of West Central Wisconsin, the affiliate is very excited about Ashley's work in school and in the community. She was an intern at the affiliate last summer, and Ashley is now a college student in the University Transfer Program at Chippewa Valley Technical College.

The affiliate's work in the community continues tomorrow -- Saturday, January 30 -- with the 30th Annual "UCP Star Fest Telethon and Sno Biz." Ashley will be the young adult ambassador to the telethon, which also follows up on Ashley's prior role as the child ambassador to the telethon 15 years ago! WEAU.com will stream the telethon live online.

Young woman proves someone with a disability can fulfill their dreams
A determined Chippewa Falls woman is leaving her mark on the world.

WEAU.com
Jan 28, 2010
By Megan Peterson

A determined Chippewa Falls woman is leaving her mark on the world. She's defying the odds and proving someone with a disability can fulfill their dreams.

She's a 19-year-old girl with an upbeat attitude and great aspirations.

"I want to be living on my own, but my ultimate goal in life would be to have a steady job doing something I love," Ashley Parkhurst said.

Ashley Parkhurst says she doesn't intend to let anyone or anything hold her back from those dreams.

"When someone tells you not to do something or that you can't, that should just give you all the more determination to accomplish your goals,” she said.

Ashley has spastic cerebral palsy. It's a disability that increases her muscle tension.

"As you can see my hands are moving a lot and most of it's involuntary movement."

Despite that movement and a learning disability, Ashley is surpassing everyone's expectations.

"When you have the issues and problems that I do it's all about going against the grain."

Now she's a college student in the University Transfer Program at Chippewa Valley Technical College. It hasn't been an easy road for Ashley as she's worked her way to through school.

"Thank god I had my mom there the whole time to help fight for me."

Ashley uses a lot of high-tech and expensive equipment every day to get around. The chair she uses costs her $40,000 and this van cost $37,000.

Agencies like United Cerebral Palsy of West Central Wisconsin have helped Ashley and her family pay for some of that costly equipment.

"People don't realize how many services these organizations offer until they're gone," she said.

Ashley says if people would look at the world like someone with a disability does they may have a change of attitude.

"It makes you rethink your own life and do I really have it that bad or should I just stop complaining about everything all the time."