“UCP Central PA. Good afternoon. This is Brandon. How can I direct your call?”

That’s how Brandon Fisher, the Receptionist at UCP’s administrative headquarters in Camp Hill, answers the phone any given time it rings. And it rings a LOT. Brandon responds to, on average, upwards of 100 incoming phone calls a day. That says nothing of forwarded or outgoing calls. Or visitors to the building.

As the initial point of contact for both callers and visitors to UCP’s Utley Drive headquarters, Brandon realizes the importance of the work he is doing, more often than not connecting people in need with staff who can provide resources. In fact, given his own diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, Brandon has a unique perspective on the key role he plays in determining whether a caller’s experience is positive or negative. He believes each UCP staff member has the power to do the same. Either we make life simpler for someone, or we complicate it.

Brandon was first introduced to UCP at or around age 2 when it became clear that he was not meeting certain developmental milestones. He began receiving Early Intervention services (Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapies) in a structured classroom environment at UCP’s then Linda Lane facility. His memories of that time—and especially of a therapist named Debbie—are warm and positive.

In fact, Brandon has an old black and white photo of Debbie working with him more than 35 years ago. He was recently able to track her down to talk about their time together. It ends up Debbie Reuvenny was a speech therapist for UCP from 1986-1991 who also has fond memories of her time at UCP.

“At the time, Early Intervention services were “center-based,” Debbie explained in a recent message to Brandon. “Therapists did not go to the children’s home to provide services as they do now. So your family brought you several days a week for class and therapies. We were all like one big family. It was a very special place to work!”

Within a few months of beginning EI therapies, Brandon was diagnosed with spastic Cerebral Palsy. He learned later in life that his CP was most likely a result of oxygen deficiency during delivery. In cases of spastic CP, the injury or problem is in an area of the brain called the motor cortex, the part of the brain that plans and controls movement. Brandon is fortunate in that his CP is not severe, although it affects his left side more prominently than his right. He used leg casts and braces as a child but has not had to use a walker or wheelchair.

Brandon had surgery at age 8 to lengthen his heel cord so that he could walk on flat feet rather than his toes. The heel cord (or Achilles tendon) is located in the back of the heel and ankle.This strong band of tissue connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, allowing for proper movement of the foot. The surgery provided Brandon with relief from a severe case of toe walking, a relatively common symptom for people with CP.

Once Brandon aged out of EI (services are only available birth to 3), he was referred to the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU) for special instruction. Brandon was held back from entering first grade until he was 8 years old when he was placed in a special education class. It soon became clear that Brandon would be better off participating in mainstream classes with a dedicated learning support teacher. Once he reached high school, he tried Vo-Tech, but it wasn’t his thing. He enrolled in a school-work co-op program when he was in 10th grade, going to school in the mornings and working at BJs afterward, from 1 to 9pm. He continued that routine throughout his high school career, graduating from Cedar Cliff High School in 2003.

Following his stint at BJs, Brandon worked at two additional companies. First at Home Depot for 7 years, then Lowe’s for another 7. He credits both companies with accepting him and treating him well, even implementing accommodations that would make the job easier on him. But as he got older the physical nature of the work became too taxing on his body.

Brandon, who just turned 40 earlier this year, first became aware of the receptionist position at UCP when he saw it posted on Indeed. He immediately submitted an application. Brandon recalls receiving a voicemail message from UCP Chief Financial Officer Dereje Zewdu, but he didn’t return the call. He thought it was a mistake or even a prank; surely the CFO of the organization wasn’t calling applicants for a receptionist position, right? Brandon’s assumption proved to be wrong. Fortunately for all concerned, Dereje’s assistant Terri made a follow up phone call to Brandon. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, in addition to being the “face and the voice of the UCP brand,” Brandon is an active member of UCP’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council. He joined “because my experience having a disability allows me to give insights from a perspective that is different than most.” He went on to explain, “I’ve gone full circle here, having participated in UCP’s preschool and EI services when I was a child. Now, as an adult employee of UCP, I have been touched by how open and accepting everyone is here. Through my work on the Council, I want to help others experience that same feeling of being valued.”