Bernard Miller, 70, Named Everyday Hero in the Northeast

Bernard Miller of the Greater Bridgeport Area has celebrated many major milestones during his lifetime, especially this past year. On June 30, he retired after 30 years of competitive employment through The Kennedy Center. A little of over a month later, on August 12, he turned 70.

Then, most recently he received the Northeast Region X Everyday Hero Award from the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). This Northeast regional award recognizes an individual who has made a positive impact on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Nominees for this award must either live or work in Region X, which includes the states of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Quebec and Maritime Provinces.

Bernie has been living independently in his family home for the past 18 years and receives supports as a participant in The Kennedy Center Supportive Living Program. As he reflects on his life, Bernie said, “I like my life and all I have accomplished.”

He began working with his dad at age 16 on his fruit truck, “Miller’s Fruits and Vegetables” until his dad retired. Working alongside his dad, he developed excellent social skills, and a wonderful work ethic.

After his dad retired, Bernie, at age 40, transitioned to The Kennedy Center Maintenance Program where he received the skills and training to move into competitive employment two years later.

His first position was working at the Fairfield Department Store where Bernie was a custodian from 1989 until the store’s closing in 1996. Then from 1996 to 2016, he was employed in the maintenance department at Trumbull High School. In both positions, he utilized public transportation and in Trumbull, he walked one mile to ride a school bus to and from work.

Bernie is very proud of many accomplishments during his 30 years of competitive employment and highlighted two of these. In 1995, while working at the Fairfield Department Store, he was recognized as “Employee of the Year” by the Southwestern Connecticut’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. And at Trumbull High School, Bernie was asked to be a guest speaker for seniors in Special Education, where he shared his success story about working competitively and living independently.

He has lived on his own with support from The Kennedy Center for the past 18 years since his dad’s passing. Planning for him began in 1991 after his mother’s passing. Being a caregiver for both his mom (paraplegic) and dad as they aged, Bernie’s family felt he was capable of living independently in their family home. Initially, family met with the Director of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) West Region and funding for an assessment was granted.

He was selected to be in the Self-Determination Pilot: “It Makes Good Sense.” His success story was featured statewide in a brochure published by DDS as well as a video.

“Bernie Miller has certainly flourished as a Kennedy Center consumer in the workplace and in the community,” said Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center. “He pioneered our self-determination program and serves as a role model for others. The entire Kennedy Center congratulates Bernie on his most recent, prestigious achievement.”

Bernie enjoys the supports he has received and has assimilated well into his neighborhood. He has established wonderful relationships, loves maintaining his home and is an avid cook. He has a full life with varied interests, including fishing, walking, caring for his dog, cooking for friends and attending Supportive Living Meetings.

With hard work and determination, Bernie has shown that life is certainly worth living. Given the opportunity to be his architect, Bernie, with the help of others, has built a life according to his ideas and dreams.

The Kennedy Center, founded in 1951, is an internationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves 2,000 individuals annually. The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years. The Kennedy Center operates 30 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs. Visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org for more information.