December 5, 2017

by: Guest Contributor

My Brother, Chris – A Board Member’s Perspective

Scott Schroeder, a member of UCP of Greater Cleveland’s Board of Directors, shares why the mission of UCP is so near and dear to his heart.

My brother, Chris, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at birth. Doctors told my mother and father they should institutionalize him. They said he’d never walk, he’d never talk, he’d require complete care and he wouldn’t live beyond the age of two. I am thankful every day that my parents told the doctors they would take my brother home and love him for as long as they could.

Chris is now 51 and he thrives, thanks to the dedicated therapists, and service providers at an agency just like UCP of Greater Cleveland.

When people meet my brother, they are surprised, just how talkative he is. I wish it was possible for him to have a conversation with the doctors that underestimated his potential.

When my father passed away in 2012 and my mother could no longer care for Chris at home, he moved into a group home with three other residents. True to form, Chris has made many friends in his new neighborhood.

Chris has had the benefit of Cerebral Palsy clinics and therapy since the age two. He is the man he is because he was loved so much by his family and because he has had support his entire life from professionals that spend their days making sure Chris has opportunities to be part of his community. He works at The Abilities Connection in Springfield, delivering the mail and stopping to talk with staff and clients along the way. Sometimes, a round of mail takes all day, he likes to chat along the way with people he meets.

I am a member of the UCP of Greater Cleveland Board of Directors and I hope that by sharing my story I can help create awareness and understanding and help UCP in our mission to empower children and adults with disabilities and advance their independence, productivity and inclusion in the community.

I’ve been fortunate to meet children and adults served by OakLeaf and LeafBridge and I always leave our facilities inspired to do more, so that no one will underestimate the potential of an individual to make a difference in our lives and in our communities.

Thank you for supporting UCP of Greater Cleveland, together we are making a difference.

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