About Chris Klein

Chris Klein spearheads Clay Vessel Incorporated, (NFP). Having received many gifts and opportunities throughout his own life, Chris desires to reproduce those blessings in the lives of people with disabilities.

Chris is uniquely gifted for this endeavor. Complications during his birth left him with cerebral palsy. Lack of oxygen for an extended period caused an injury to the portion of his brain that controls motor function. Chris cannot speak or walk. To communicate, he uses a touch-screen computer on which he types phrases and sentences with his big toe. Everyday tasks such as eating, writing, bathing, even using the bathroom are impossible for Chris without assistance. Despite low expectations, the faithful perseverance of Chris and his family have brought him to a place few envisioned at his birth.

Chris was given his first Augmentative Communication device at the age of six, and he shocked his family and friends by talking on it by the next day. This opened new opportunities for Chris, as he was able to be mainstreamed full-time starting in third grade. Chris understands personally how assistive technology can change a person’s life, and he is committed to making assistive technology available to others. He wants to open doors to those like himself. He knows assistive technology can do that, so as the founder of this organization, he is committed to promote, consult and advocate assistive technology.

Today, Chris lives on his own in Holland, Michigan. Health care professionals and friends aid Chris at various intervals each day, but his independence is a testament to his resolve. He uses all types of assistive technology on a daily basis. From his automated house to his adapted computer equipment, Chris has utilized assistive technology to accomplish graduating from Hope College, and to encourage crowds of people with his speaking seminars.