11-16-09 Viewing Disability thru the Spectrum of Values

Monday, November 16, 2009
We had the most amazing guest speaker tonight. Henry Reed, one of my favorite mentors, colleagues and friends came to speak to our class about his experience as a counselor. He inspired us, delighted us with his quick wit, had us cracking up laughing, and at times had us close to tears. It was a heart-warming experience.

Henry was one of three children born to a working class couple in a small farm town in Illinois. At 13 years old, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. His muscles began to atrophy, and the doctors didn't expect him to live very long. The family relocated to Los Angeles to try and find better health care for their son. Henry later relocated with his brother to Carpinteria, and was encouraged to meet with a career counselor at Santa Barbara City College. The counselor saw something special in Henry, and encouraged him to sign up for a career class. This was a really big step for Henry, as he was unable to complete high school due to his illness. Meeting with the counselor changed his life. That day, Henry decided "I wanted to have a future."

One class led to another, and Henry ended up earning not one, not two, but three Associates degrees from SBCC - in Liberal Studies, Computer Science, and in Interior Design. He transferred to UC Santa Barbara, and received a BS in Organizational Psychology, with a minor in Personality. Henry decided to pursue graduate studies, and in 1993 graduated with an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University.

In 1989, Henry worked part-time at Santa Barbara City College as a job developer and vocational counselor while finishing up graduate school. He was recruited to work full-time at the Department of Rehabilitation as a Career Counselor, where he served clients with disabilities for three years. Because he was a client at DOR for years prior to being employed there, he was very familiar with the complex systems, the hoops that counselors have to jump through, and the governmental red tape that can frustrate clients when program funding is held up. Henry says that he appreciates an agency that can provide funding to make a difference in so many people's lives.

In 2000, Henry applied for, was hired and accepted, a full-time position with the DSPS Department at SBCC. He continues to work as tenured faculty, offering hope, kind words and empathy as he works with his clients. Henry shared with us tonight, "Your counseling path is about your passion...your mission. Students come back to see you because we've built this bond of trust, and anticipate what they might need." He stresses, "YOU are MORE than your job. Your course of values will determine who comes back to see you. Remember, YOU are there for them, not the other way around. We are honored to sit with our clients and work with them"

Henry continues to inspire others to embrace being human, and to aspire to be all that they wish for their lives. He loves learning and educating. I asked him what was on his "bucket list" since he is no longer diagnosed with a terminal illness. This wonderful man has bravely looked death in the eye several times, and says it's just that - and only that. Henry can't wait to go for another helicopter ride in the near future (has a secret desire to be a helicopter pilot), and has plans to go to Asia in January 2010. His advice? To "enjoy every day. I remind myself what I need to do daily..hourly..." His favorite thing to do is to enjoy a nice meal with friends. Mahalo, Henry Reed, for sharing your heart with us tonight.