Leslie's Story

Thinking back, Leslie Mueller-Grady recalls when she began working at Homes for Independent Living (HIL). It was in 1988 while she was attending school. She came across a "Help Wanted" ad in the local newspaper for a third shift Counselor at HIL in Washington County. It was a perfect fit, as it provided her flexibility to study, while earning a living. She chuckles as she recalls that her starting wage was $4.00 an hour!

Leslie held several positions over her 10-year career at HIL. Beginning as a “Counselor” (DSP) she was then promoted to “Senior Counselor” (DSS) and then the “Assistant Manager” (SC) for the region. Reflecting on the significant changes in healthcare during the late '80s, Leslie recalls the shift away from "custodial care," where patients were housed in large facilities. Clients were transitioned into smaller, 4-bed Adult Family Homes (AFHs), like those HIL opened in West Bend, Wisconsin.

She also remembers the introduction of "Person First" language, which she described as pivotal. "Instead of saying 'a developmentally disabled person,' you’d say, 'a person with developmental disabilities,' and understanding that distinction was crucial," she explained. "We made a point to focus on their abilities rather than their disabilities." Leslie expressed gratitude for being part of such a transformative period in the development of the programs we continue to work in today. She says the best part of her job was knowing that she made a difference in the clients’ lives.

In the late ‘90s Leslie needed a change, so she returned to school and completed her degree as a Nurse Practitioner with a specialization in wound care. She currently enjoys her full-time job as an Advanced Practice Nurse Prescriber.

Leslie also likes traveling and wanted to earn extra money so she could do more of it. And her dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities drew her back to HIL, and she decided to reapply. She rejoined HIL as a casual employee in 2023.

Leslie's passion for the Developmentally Disabled/Intellectually Disabled (DD/ID) population remains strong, and several of the clients she had previously worked with were still living together in one of the programs. "Knowing them for so many years and growing with them, being part of their lives in such a positive way, reassures me that I’m in the right place," she said.

When asked why she chose to return to working as a DSP, Leslie explained that she wanted to do something "extra"—something that made a difference in the clients' lives while also having fun. "It’s all about them," she said. "It feels almost like playtime when I come to work." Her favorite days are when she can take clients into the community, especially for one-on-one time. Spending that individualized time outside of the program is very special for them and deeply rewarding for her.