My Job Helps Others… Curriculum Developer
It is time for another interview! (You can read more here.) Today we hear from Mr. Chris.
Mr. Chris, what did you want to be when you grew up?
For a while I wanted to be a truck driver… then a fireman. Then I wanted to be a professional football player… and then I wanted to be an Air Force pilot! As you can tell, I’ve always liked things that go FAST. That’s probably why I drive my power wheelchair like a wild man!
What do you do now, and how does your job help others?
Eventually I found my love – reading and writing – and realized that writing was what I wanted to do when I got older. Now I help create the books and other printed resources Joni and Friends publishes. I do a lot of writing and I also help other writers.
What can a kid do now if they wanted to have a job like yours?
Read, read, read! Being a good writer begins with being a reader. It will help you learn to write better. Besides, reading is fun!
You said you like to drive your power wheelchair like a wild man. Why do you use a wheelchair?
When my mom was pregnant with me, she was exposed to a virus called rubella. I was born with a physical disability. I grew up using crutches to walk short distances and wheelchairs for longer distances. I still use them today.
What is something people may not know about you?
In junior high I participated in adaptive skiing and loved it!
Do you have any advice you would like to give our readers?
Whether you have a disability or you don’t, never make assumptions about other people with disabilities. Some are able to get in and out of their wheelchairs, others aren’t. Some people who use wheelchairs can get in and out of the front seat of a car, others can’t. Just because a person uses a wheelchair doesn’t mean she’s not smart. And just because someone has an intellectual or other developmental disability, it doesn’t mean that he also has a physical limitation. The best thing to do is ask good questions: Would you rather sit here or there? Would you like me to help you with that, or would you prefer to do it yourself? It’s even okay to ask questions about the person’s disability. The most important thing is to show that you care, and to be a friend.
Thank you, Mr. Chris!
