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Profiles of Courage
KEN BERG
Ken Berg continues to surprise everyone with his growing capacity to be fully included in community life. His life story and his transition from high school to adult life is an inspiration to all who meet him. He has continually defied the odds, stereotypes and limitations stacked against him.
Ken is a twenty two year old young man, works fulltime at the Adriance Farm in Queens, New York, where he is responsible for the gathering, washing, drying and packaging of eggs produced by the farm hens. In addition to this morning job, Ken assists with many other jobs that are required on a farm throughout the week. Why does this ordinary job seem so extraordinary?
This small part-time volunteer job grew over time into his current full-time employment at the farm. The old images of Ken as a deaf-blind, self-abusive, profoundly cognitively and medically impaired boy have turned into powerful experiences of Ken as a farmer, a worker, and a happy, fulfilled, handsome young man. The tears, fears and nightmares of his parents have paled in comparison to their sense of pride, accomplishment and optimism.
Clara Berg is an international speaker and parent advocate inspiring people world wide to create real worlds for people with severe disabilities, particularly those who are deaf and blind. Ken and his support worker, Ame Mejia, often travel with Clara, and in doing so, help bring Ken's vision to life.
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