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Christopher Comis finds perseverance is the ticket
By Christine Call
BOCA RATON— Christopher Comis is a pleasant, smiling, outgoing, hard worker.
He is a ticket taker and usher with Cinpolis in Deerfield Beach. He works two or three days a week and is excited to be working in the community.
“My hard work paid off,” Comis said. “I wanted a job working with other people and I got it. I’m very happy about my job.”
Comis has cerebral palsy and is a customer of Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and APD is highlighting the workplace achievements of people with developmental disabilities.
Comis went through an interview like the other job candidates for the usher and ticket taker position.
Kelly Griffin supervises Comis and said he was shy at first, but not anymore. She raved about his friendliness, positive attitude, and patience. Griffin said, “He makes it so easy to be around him because he’s always smiling. His coworkers love him and look out for him.” Griffin added that the only accommodation Comis needed was a table instead of ticket stand.
Julie Sherman is Comis’ support coordinator. She shared he is a very strong, articulate self-advocate who wanted to be in an inclusive work environment. “Christopher has made a lot of progress since he started working at Cinpolis. The job has been a good self-esteem booster,” Sherman said. She added, “He is now looking for a group home as he wants to be more independent.”
When not working, he enjoys playing video games, attending sporting events, and listening to all kinds of music.
APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn and work in their communities. The agency annually serves more than 50,000 Floridians with autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit APDcares.org or call toll free 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273).
