“Championing Meaningful Lives: Navigating Crises for Individuals with Adult Diagnoses and Disabilities”

Summary/Reflection

Name: Chris Benjamin

Picture : No picture, because he works from home.

Position (job title), and where they are working: Crisis Counselor/ Crisis management response trainer, He trains other people who work with adults with disabilities. He works at Wall residence works/ helps with teaching how to redirect emotions and keep the crisis to a minimum

Education: AA degree ( Associate in arts degree), Bachelors degree, and licensed social worker certification

Summary of the interview: Chris Benjamin works with individuals facing numerous crises, specifically those with adult diagnoses or disabilities. His motivation for entering this profession is to assist these individuals in adapting to everyday life, enabling them to lead meaningful and productive lives. He recognize the societal challenges faced by people with adult diagnoses or disabilities, including being treated differently, perceived as slow or unintelligent, and often excluded or dehumanized. In their role, Chris aims to provide support, ensuring that those they work with have meaningful lives. His job involves placing individuals in homes to grant them independence, freedom, and the perception of having choices in their lives.

Highlight or take away from the interview: Motivated by personal experience—having a daughter with autism—this individual embarked on a career shift. Initially grappling with an inability to relate to his child, he returned to school to delve into the intricacies of autism, seeking to comprehend its nature. As he immersed himself in this field, he gradually bridged the gap in understanding and connection with his children. Yet, beyond his personal growth, he encountered the profound injustice faced by autistic individuals, particularly adults, within society. Though initially disinterested in his job, witnessing the disgusting mistreatment and discrimination suffered by autistic people compelled a deepening sense of empathy and dedication within him.