In His Own Words: Chris Fillion and FASD Mentors of Change

I’d like to start by thanking New Directions for sponsoring me and FASD Mentors of Change by providing a sweater from Café 6. It promotes the work I’m doing in my community, raises awareness, and helped me stand out at the 2025 Canada FASD Research Network Conference in Toronto. People noticed the New Directions logo and came up to ask questions about the work I’m doing and how I’ve grown. It gave me the chance to share how your support helped shape my journey.

I’ve been with New Directions since March 14, 2006, when I joined the Adult Home Share program. Back then, I needed a lot of support. It’s been a long, sometimes difficult journey, but I’ve grown so much, and I’m very grateful for all the help I’ve received along the way.

It took me a long time to accept that I needed help and to understand my disability. Over time, I learned that accepting help doesn’t make me weak—it helped me become the person I am today. I’ve learned to listen to others, take their advice, and combine it with my own ideas.

Eventually, I started living on my own. That was hard too, but with support from people who cared and took the time to guide me, I was able to make it through. Because of that, I met my wife and became the person I wanted to be.

While I was presenting on stage at CanFASD, the question that crossed my mind was, “Who do I want to become, and who do I want to inspire within my community?” My biggest passion is helping individuals with disabilities—no matter what kind of disability—find their voices and express themselves.

Someone once asked me, “Who do you want to become?” My answer was: I want to be a father, a husband, and someone who helps others, but most of all, I want to be my own biggest supporter.

Since then, I’ve become a Direct Support Worker, a foster parent, a husband, and an advocate. I’ve worked hard to change how people with disabilities are seen and treated—with dignity and respect. I’m proud to be a part of New Directions and to cheer for them in the community.

Thank you for supporting me through my many projects and dreams, especially the dream of starting Mentors of Change. And thank you again for the sweater from Café 6. It helped me proudly represent New Directions—the agency that believed in me, lifted me up, and helped make my future a reality.

Submitted by Chris Fillion, Supported by SIL