Five Questions
Saratoga Bridges and the Upstate Autism Alliance are hosting the 7th Annual Autism Expo & Art Exhibit fron noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, at the Saratoga Springs City Center. In recognition of April being Autism Awareness Month, Chris Walsh is described as a role model.
1 Who are you and where do you live? My name is Chris Walsh. I am 26 years old. I live in Corinth with my parents and one of my two sisters. My mom told me she found out that I was autistic and had epilepsy when I was 2. I’ve known that I had autism, epilepsy and ADHD since I was around 8. In high school, I really wanted to know what autism and ADHD was, so I started asking teachers, friends and family members. I looked up stuff on Google. I got an idea and found out what it was, but still didn’t really understand. After I graduated, I started attending Saratoga Bridges new ACE (Achieving Career Enhancements) Day Program. I wanted to volunteer with my friends, have fun and get help with a career. It was at ACE that I started to understand more about my disabilities.
2 Where do you work and volunteer? At ACE, my friends and I do a lot of volunteering. I like going to Friends of Phoebe Animal Rescue in Queensbury. We have fun with the animals there and have even raised awareness about the rescue and started a pet drive to collect donated items they needed. We have been at the Racetrack in their Community Outreach Booth, held a Blanket Drive to donate blankets for people who need them at Shelters of Saratoga and even gone to Albany for the BFair2DirectCare Rally to support our staff. I started in the Pathway to Employment Program with my Job Coach Kim Collier. This is helping me gain skills and opportunities to find a job I want to do and can do. We have been at the Ballston Spa Library and Mechanicville Community Center so far.
3 When you are not working, what do you like to do for fun? I am up for pretty much anything as long as I am out of the house. I like to hang out with my dad and with my Community Hab friend Rob. I love to shop and just spend money. My favorite singer is Alan Jackson and I love listening to him. I love to take pictures, videos and write poems.
4 What do you feel are a few of your biggest achievements? In high school, I was very proud to be on the track and field team. Now I compete in Special Olympics. Going through adulthood has been a big accomplishment for me too. Also, moving up a level by working hard on getting a job is very important to me.
5 Why is it important for people to know about people with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
I love being autistic. It is very important for us to treated right or equally and get the help we need. Oh, and I think it would show more people life is more interesting with us. Life would be boring if everyone was the same. Another thing, it’ll cause more people to like you. They won’t think there’s anything wrong with you or that you are really weird. If people call me names, I don’t let it bother me.