Aurora Independence didn’t begin with a grand opening or a big launch. It started as a slow burn, born from a simple yet pivotal moment when I said, “If no one else will hire me, I’ll hire myself.”
After six and a half years in Acute Care, working weekends in rehab, and constantly searching for opportunities that aligned with my strengths, I hit a crossroads.
Medicare’s reimbursement changes led to nationwide layoffs in rehab, recruiters were overwhelmed, and my applications seemed to vanish into a sea of hundreds. By February 2020, I was preparing to take a traveling position in Manhattan to keep things afloat, hoping to return home on weekends while formalizing the pieces of a business idea I had been nurturing.
Then COVID hit in March, and suddenly that idea, Aurora Independence, was it. ( And thank goodness I declined the traveling position!)
Aurora Independence began with a simple yet powerful mission: to empower independence and create accessible spaces for individuals and families navigating life’s transitions.
Today, we reflect not on the growth of our small business, but on the ripple effect a dedicated team can have in fostering accessibility and inclusion.
📊 Here’s what impact looks like over the past year alone:
75 unique home assessments:
Collaborating with three amazing Occupational Therapy Professionals (OTPs) and three different community partners to guide construction and planning teams in creating accessibility where it’s needed most.
13 private families served:
Supporting life-changing decisions, from full renovations to low-cost, high-impact solutions, and providing necessary information for guiding the next steps in care.
60+ clients and 120+ visits with a single community partner:
Helping redefine what aging in place means for residents within the Germantown section of Philadelphia.
130 students reached through classes with industry partners or emerging OTP's:
Sharing knowledge and encouraging collaboration through the industries.
200+ continuing education courses sold:
Amplifying the conversation around accessibility and inclusion through education and training.
These numbers represent people—families, students, community partners—who’ve trusted us to walk alongside them on their journey toward safer, more inclusive environments.
🌟What this teaches us:
Fueled by passion and collaboration, a small business can create big change.
The right partnerships amplify impact far beyond what one person or team could achieve.
Accessibility isn’t just about design; it’s about listening, guiding, and empowering individuals to make decisions that align with their goals.
As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded that every accessible bathroom, safe home modification, informed student, and empowered client matters.
Thank you to our partners, clients, students, and team for making these past five years possible. Here’s to the next chapter—creating more accessible and inclusive spaces together.
💡 If you’ve been a part of our journey, we’d love to hear how Aurora Independence has made a difference for you. You can leave a review here
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