Volunteer Spotlight: Sean In Blue Hat
For the past year, Sean Martin Bixler, a senior at Lehman College majoring in Art History, has been volunteering with Blue Hat. “When I joined CAA, I saw right away that it was the perfect first job for me. It is a place where work and fun blend together through helping people with neurodivergences. Having had similar experiences in my own life, I knew I’d fit in.”
He has had epilepsy since infancy, and while he has healed greatly over the past twenty-two years, seizures have brought many setbacks, including confusion, hallucinations, panic attacks, unconsciousness, and long recoveries. For a time he even lost his ability to speak, not being able to say my own name. He says neurodivergence is no joke, It should be taken seriously, and respect must be shown to those of those who have it. “Afterall, no one knows a person’s depth of perception when outwardly that person may appear to be unaware or confused.” The opposite is also true: no one knows the inward mental battles of people who outwardly seem to be functioning with no problem. “Even though I don’t face the same struggles as the people I work with, I still have my own challenges and memories of difficult moments that shaped what I’ve learned.” Sean says he also remembers the many people who supported him during those years and continue to support him. “They helped, encouraged, and comforted me in every way they could, and that is why I am here to do the same for the neurodiverse individuals at CAA.” .
Sean Participating In this years Runderful 5K
Blue Hat kitchen is a vocational cooking program for teens and young adults focused on building independent life skills within CAA that he joined about a year ago, where youth work together to cook and bake different recipes, which he personally considers a perfect choice of activity to help the mind focus. “Becoming part of Blue Hat was a new and exciting opportunity for me. I had merely encountered many of the participants back when I worked as one of CAA’s employees, but when I started volunteering there I was able to learn a lot more about these participants.” At Blue Hat, volunteers learn the importance of cooperation because we choose one or two other people to work with on our baking projects. “Multiple times I found myself overstressed or extremely shy, and the Blue Hat members helped me find my way through when I got lost in what to do.” He made an especial friendship with Cyrus, who he described as high-spirited and a very helpful friend. “I don’t know exactly what it was or why it was, but there was something about him that showed he really cared for my feelings.” says Sean.
For him, providing assistance for Blue Hat participants feels less like a challenge and more like a state of development, where we learn what accomplishments we can achieve or are interested in seeking out. And nothing feels like a competition; we don’t bake to see who is the better baker. We all earn a reward through our efforts. “What I know is that even if I make a mistake it doesn't mean I am less capable.” All of us need guidance for at least one thing in our lives. And whether we’re employees, staff, assistant volunteers, or participants, everyone here is capable of offering something to each other. We are all on one team, so we’ll show the world how much easier life is when we work together. For you parents who have a neurodivergent child who struggles in life, we recommend Blue Hat as the perfect chance to encourage their spirit.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” -Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Written by Sean Bixler, Volunteer Spotlight is an ongoing blog series celebrating the inspiring stories of CAA volunteers.
If you're passionate about making a difference, consider joining CAA’s programs as a volunteer! Your time and skills can create meaningful change in our community. Learn more about volunteering opportunities and how you can get involved with CAA today.