Disability care often falls short of providing truly meaningful experiences for clients. While basic needs might be met, dreams and aspirations frequently take a backseat. This gap in service inspired Michelle Nohotima to establish Always Able, a company dedicated to helping people with disabilities live life on their own terms. Her innovative approach focuses on fulfilling dreams rather than simply providing care, creating opportunities for clients to experience everything from race car driving to international travel.
Starting with Purpose
Michelle didn’t start her business to make money. Working in the disability sector, she grew frustrated seeing how limited her clients’ experiences were. “I started Always Able because the job I was in didn’t allow our clients to live their dreams or do things outside the box,” she says. “I wanted to give them independence, life experiences, and fulfill their dreams and hopes.” This mission-first approach comes naturally to Michelle. “I grew up with foster kids in our house,” she explains. “You give back, you treat everybody the same. Everybody has the chance to live a good life.”
The company’s name reflects their stubborn refusal to accept limitations. “Because we’re always able to do anything,” Michelle says with pride. “Nothing’s a barrier to us.” They’ve earned that confidence. One client with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair gets to indulge his passion for racing every year. “We take him to a V8 racing car track,” Michelle shares. “We get him out of that chair and into that car, and he goes around that track because racing cars is his favorite thing.” When they started, few disability providers were offering such experiences. “More companies like us have broken the mold and shown that you can get things done,” she notes. Rather than seeing newcomers as competition, Michelle welcomes them. “That’s good—I’m really happy more people are taking the chance and helping these people fulfilll their dreams.”
Making Dreams Happen
Michelle’s approach centers on three key strategies. First, they actually listen. “We take notice of their goals and what they want to do. We don’t just brush them off and say, ‘Well, that’s silly, you can’t do that.'” Second, they’ve developed expertise in helping people with significant mobility challenges. “We’re pretty high up on people with low mobility, wheelchair bound, high needs,” she explains. “My husband has very good ideas with our mobility issue people.” Their third advantage? The right team. “It’s important to have good staff who are willing to think outside the box,” Michelle emphasizes. They specifically look for “people who are people-driven” rather than those motivated primarily by money.
Technology’s Role in Breaking Barriers
While AI gets plenty of hype, Michelle sees specific technological advances making the real difference for her clients. “For people who are non-verbal, technology has helped them with iPads and voice programs,” she points out. “People who can’t communicate verbally can still be taught skills to communicate in other ways.” Equipment improvements also matter enormously. “Things like lifters used to be really clunky and heavy, whereas nowadays they’re light and more mobile,” she notes. “That side of technology is going to get better to make things easier for both the people and the workers.”
AI might play a supporting role—”things like ChatGPT can help with brainstorming ideas on what you can do”—but Michelle focuses on practical tools that directly improve lives. Through Always Able, Michelle has created something remarkable: a service that treats dreams and adventures as necessities rather than luxuries. By refusing to accept conventional limitations, she’s helping clients experience the full range of what life has to offer, one V8 supercar ride at a time.
Follow Michelle Nohotima on LinkedIn to see how she’s redefining care through action and empathy.
