Meet Ashley and Hennessy
Ashley kisses Hennessy, her yellow Labrador, on top of his head.
Ashley Wagner of Acworth, Georgia, was just six years old when a brain tumor called craniopharyngioma and a subsequent surgery left her legally blind. She’s overcome a lot, mastering technology tools and recently graduating from high school, and she’s determined to achieve even more as she plans the future. Some of those plans include heading off to college in the fall, and for that she’s excited to navigate with her first guide dog, Hennessy. This yellow Labrador with his playful personality and lovable nature is poised to lead her first to Chattahoochee Technical College for two years of core requirements, then on to Kennesaw State to major in business.
“Vision loss makes simple things harder, especially in school,” Ashley shares. “But I’ve learned how to deal with it. Hennessy is going to help me so much in college to be able to get around by myself.”
If anyone can succeed, Ashley can, with her determination to learn and her desire to give back to the community. “I love helping people,” she says. She has already worked with several nonprofits, raising funds for children with cancer and doing some public speaking. One day she hopes to work for a nonprofit and eventually start her own, and with Hennessy by her side, anything is possible for this inspiring 18-year old.
If anyone can succeed, Ashley Wagner can. And with Hennessy by her side, anything is possible for this inspiring 18-year-old.
