‘Paid work’ does not explicitly feature in the exploration of the meaning of a good life in Chapter Two. However, it resonates through some of the themes that we identified. In Bauman's view of modern happiness, paid work is the means by which one can enter the pursuit of this elusive goal. The capacity to undertake paid work suggests an equality or citizenship that invites participation in the society and in the social contract that governs us. And paid work can be seen as one of the ways in which we exercise commitment and duty or virtue in our lives. It is also one means by which we might acquire wisdom, which shapes our view of a good life. It is one of the means that brings us into relationships with others.

Further as we will see in this chapter access to paid work currently enjoys a central place in thinking about how to enable people with intellectual disabilities to attain a better life, as this extract from Valuing people now (DH, 2009) illustrates:

It is for these reasons that we chose work as a case study with which to end Part Two.

Undoubtedly, many people with intellectual disabilities value work, particularly paid work. Marie talked a lot about work in her account. It is important to her. Many of the themes articulated in Valuing people now (DH, 2009) appear in her account. She recognises her obligation to earn money, and the self-esteem that comes with it: