Ashley Herrera
2004 Community Hero
Ashley was born with a penchant for music. She sings and plays the drums, piano and guitar. As a huge fan of hip hop, Ashley loves to cut loose and “get funky.” Living with Goldenhar’s syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that often results in skeletal and facial abnormalities, can’t keep Ashley from dancing to the sounds that fill her heart with joy.
To date, four-year-old Ashley has undergone more than a hundred surgeries. For a long time now, she’s had to live with a gastronomy tube and a breathing tube. Once, during a course of treatment, her heart stopped beating. Despite being unable to eat, talk or breathe like others, Ashley’s bright spirit and strength endure without fail.
Her family is amazed at Ashley’s kind heart, her courage and the unlimited amount of love she shares with those around her. When asked to describe the qualities of a hero, they don’t have to look very far for the answer.
