Editor’s note: Easy-going. Compassionate. Strong-willed. Adventurous. Helpful. Sensitive. One or more of these words may describe you. They also describe people with developmental disabilities. October is Community Awareness Month and the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities encourages everyone to get to know someone with a disability and ask “What’s Your Story?” Each one of us has a story and each story has the potential to educate and inspire others. “We invite you to enjoy a series of articles highlighting several families involved in our program who would like to share their story with you. Their stories are powerful, meaning and inspiring,” said Superintendent Laura Zureich.
SIDNEY — For Ben Oliphant, 42, of Sidney, the encouragement and help he has received from the staff of Shelby Hills and the Shelby County Board of Developmental Disabilities means everything to him.
Oliphant, the son of Geraldine Oliphant and the late Don Ralph Oliphant, attended the preschool program at Shelby Hills when it was held in the old Children’s Home. His entire childhood was spent being involved with Shelby Hills.
Today, he’s employed by S&H Products and works at Plastipak in Jackson Center. He works 10 to 12 skids of cardboard bundles every day. He bundles them together so they can be recycled.
For Oliphant, it’s more than a job. He’s earning a regular paycheck and he’s part of the work community at the plant.
He also attended Ren Day Services in Troy for two years. There he did artwork and helped build cornhole boards.
“We made ones for college football and pro football like the Steelers and Colts,” said Oliphant.
He lives in Sidney with a housemate. He’s lived independently for nine years and during that time he’s learned what it takes to maintain a home and the responsibilities that go along with it. There’s a home manager and staff who helps Oliphant.
“We rotate four different people,” said Renee Ball, who has worked with Oliphant for six months. “Three of the guys have been with Ben for more than five years. The guys love them (Ben and his housemate).”
Oliphant receives assistance from his service and support administrator (SSA) with the Shelby County Board of DD.
“I help coordinate the services the residential program provides,” said Kris Anderson, Oliphant’s SSA. “Each SSA has a caseload with about 35 to 40 different clients. They all have different needs and abilities.
“This has been a huge year for Ben,” said Anderson. “He has branched out and tried a lot of new things this year. He is very content with his life.”
Anderson and Oliphant have been teamed up together for five years.
Sidney Police Officer Mike McRill is one of Oliphant’s favorite people in Sidney. McRill gave him a junior officer badge and they go to lunch at the Stop.
Oliphant is involved with the Aktion Club, which is part of the Sidney Kiwanis.
Jessica Guillozet, who is the community connections facilitator for the Shelby County Board of DD, is the Aktion Club adviser. She also helps organize a fashion show in Sidney with local celebrities and S&H Products associates with disabilities as models.
“I escorted the women as they walked,” said Oliphant of his role during the fashion show. And he loved the show because it gave him a chance to dress up.
“He’s a sharp dresser,” said Guillozet.
“I was looking good on stage,” said Oliphant.
Superheros — both real and fiction – are something Oliphant holds near and dear to him. His dad was a veteran and Oliphant helped put flags out for the Flags of Valor when it was on display at Custenborder Field. He’s registered to vote and considers himself very patriotic.
“Donald Trump is my guy,” said Oliphant.
Oliphant attends the Friday Nights Out sponsored by Shelby County Arc. Friday Night Out is a fun, social event held once a month, year-round for adults older than 22. The evening includes themed activities, a craft and a meal.
During a recent event, Oliphant answered all the questions for trivia night which dealt with Superman and Batman. His favorite superheros are Wonder Woman, the Incredible Hulk and Batman.
Dancing and music are also two of his favorite things to do. He loves to sing along with the songs.
Oliphant is also a wrestling fan and his favorite wrestler is John Cena. He goes to the YMCA and swims. He is also a bell ringer with the Salvation Army.
Oliphant visits the library every week. He loves movies and has a large collection of movies which range from superheros to musicals. He likes the 1980s music and movies. He’s also an avid photographer and has many books filled with photographs he’s taken of family and friends.
Oliphant recently honored his best friend, Aaron Klosterman, who also receives support from the Shelby County Board of DD. Oliphant nominated Klosterman as the Aktion Club’s Person of the Month. No one was happier than Oliphant when his friend received the award.
He also has a girlfriend, Patty, and they like doing things together.
“He has strong family support,” said Ball. Oliphant and his sister, Pam Alexander, go out to lunch each week.
“Jessica has been very important to him too,” said Ball. “She has presented him with new opportunities to try.”
“Without Jessica,” said Anderson, “Ben would never have tried Kiwanis. He wouldn’t have helped with the Field of Valor. He wouldn’t have met Officer McRill. All of his providers have encouraged him to be open to try new opportunities.”
Shelby Hills and Community & Support Services are both divisions under the Shelby County Board of DD.
