ABOUT ME
Chris sits in his wheelchair in Duke's restaurant in Waikiki, Hawaii. There is a beige wall with turquoise lettering behind him and a few patrons on ocean-blue couches. He is wearing a red Patriots and Atlantic blue bucket hat and glasses.
A brain tumor survivor since the age of 8, and handicapped since the age of 10, I am now 39. I fell in love with creative writing after writing a poem about my struggles in the 7th grade. Since then I have self-published five books: Born on Friday the 13th (2018), Torghatten (2016), Hard Polish (2013), 4wheelin' (2011), and Spawning Gray (2010). After 2 years at The University of Arizona, I graduated from Stonehill College in 2009 and earned my Master's degree in English in 2011 from Salem State University. I now live in Beverly, Massachusetts.
My screenplay Lagom (the Swedish word for 'just the right amount') was a finalist for best screenplay at the 2017 Massachusetts Independent Film Festival, as well as the 2015 Catalina Film Festival. In 2016 my screenplay Spawning Neon was a semi-finalist at the 16th annual Awareness Film Festival.
Chris as a toddler stands on a Cape Cod beach. He has brown hair and a mushroom cut, and has the strap of a swim bubble across his chest.
Chris is behind a microphone giving his high school baccalaureate speech. He is wearing a dark tie and a light blue shirt. He is in a wheelchair, has glasses, and is holding his hands together.
For decdes, the disability community--from artisans to stock traders, many of whom can work from home now--haven't been able to move forward in life or find value within society because we are not allowed make more than ~$1,000/month or hold more than $2,000 in a bank account without losing vital disability checks and Medicare/Medicaid. If you could copy/paste the letter below and use the link to send it to your senator, representative, and/or governor, it would be greatly appreciated:
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Dear Congressman [Congressman's Last Name],
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I am writing as a concerned constituent to urge you to address and overturn specific laws that perpetuate poverty for individuals with disabilities by restricting their ability to earn income.
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Specifically, I am referring to regulations within programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) that impose stringent limits on how much a person with a disability can earn without losing vital benefits. These restrictions:
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Discourages work and economic self-sufficiency.
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Trap individuals in cycles of poverty.
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Reduce how they can contribute to society.
I request your support in advocating for legislation that:
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Significantly raises or eliminates income restrictions within disability benefit programs.
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Creates pathways to greater economic independence for people with disabilities without jeopardizing essential support.
These changes are crucial to empower individuals with disabilities, promote economic opportunity, and ensure they can achieve their full potential.
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Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
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Sincerely,
[Your Name]