FAST FIVE Terri Johnson celebrates people of all abilities

Meet Terri Johnson, CEO of Chrysalis.

Terri has been working in nonprofit management as well as with children and adults with developmental disabilities for almost 26 years.

Terri has been married to the love of her life for over 36 years now. She is grateful to the families, community members and her church family that have been so supportive of the work that Chrysalis is doing. Her passions include working with an amazing team of people at Chrysalis, working with the wonderful people that she serves and their families, getting more involved in working on projects for veterans and being out in the community more. She loves her family, gardening, singing and playing with her kitten.

Terri is a member of the Hayden Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors as well as a referring partner for Charity Reimagined and the Press Christmas for All program.

1) What motivated you to launch the developmental disability agency Chrysalis?

I have deeply personal reasons for starting Chrysalis. In addition to those reasons, there was a desperate need for the services that we provide. We were aware of a number of area families with loved ones, both children and adults, who lacked a safe and fun place where they could interact with peers while developing their life skills. It was a leap of faith, but all of us at Chrysalis have made it work!

2) What are a few things you most enjoy about working with those in the disability and special needs communities?

I most enjoy the successes. When you have worked with someone for months on a small thing and they have their "ah-ha" moment — that is so beautiful! I love the creativity that goes into trying to help someone reach that ah-ha moment. I love the laughter, the joy, the things that they teach me on a daily basis. I love to provide them with new opportunities to branch out and see their faces light up when they know they have done something terrific.

3) What are a few misconceptions or myths about your work and those you serve that you would like to clarify for our community?

Our friends are like anybody else with some of the same hopes and dreams. I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that they are not smart and that they cannot learn, and, boy, that would be wrong. They are smart and funny and enjoy joking around with others just like the rest of us. Some of them want and/or have jobs, some want families, some want their own apartments, some want to spend time with their friends, have a relationship and be a part of the community.

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you? 

I love to do flower arranging.

5) How will you be celebrating the holidays this year?

I will be celebrating the holidays with fun activities at Chrysalis and then quietly at home with my husband, my dad and my stepmother. I say quietly but we have a new kitten and so, "quietly” is a matter of perception and I wouldn’t have it any other way!