how Abby's visual impairment inspires her to advocate for all

If you happen to notice Abby Edwards walking with her guide dog, Igloo, through the Connor Health Pavilion where she works on the Mental Health Resource Connection- she hopes that you’ll stop and say hi! Abby is one of the most recent employees to take flight at Dayton Children’s, and already she’s making a huge impact on our patients and families. 

"I chose social work because I've always felt a calling to help people. Having experienced the kindness of others throughout my life due to my visual impairment, I was drawn to social work, which is all about advocating for individuals and empowering them to advocate for themselves," Abby shares.  

Abby says she knew from a young age that due to a genetic condition; she would gradually lose her ability to see. She didn’t allow that to keep her from pursuing her education and career goals getting her Bachelor’s degree from Wright State and her Master’s degree from Boston College. Abby says while she’s had many professional experiences so far in her career, she’s found incredible coworkers at Dayton Children’s and is proud of the hospital's inclusive culture. 

“This has been such a positive experience and so welcoming. I've had everything that I needed in a respectful way,” she says.  

Abby says she prefers to use the term “visually impaired” in a professional setting. But her focus is not on what people call her,  but rather how they relate to her. 

“A lot of times people don’t ask at all because they worry they may be offensive. But in reality, it leads to assumptions and makes it more challenging because then I have to advocate more,” Abby explains. 

For Abby, and others working at Dayton Children’s who have a disability, there is a hope that the people she encounters will recognize that she is an adult and a young professional. She says she’d prefer that someone asks if she needs help instead of assuming that she does...or doesn’t! 

 “I want people to know that I want to do my job like everyone else. And sometimes I have to do some things differently, but I want to accomplish the same thing which is to help our families!”   

Abby and others like her are what make our hospital great as they help shape the exceptional way we care for our patients and their families.

Abby is helping Dayton Children’s go above and beyond for our patients! To join our team and start your career journey at Dayton Children’s, visit here.