Erin Christie is the Shared Living Provider (SLP) who lives with Tagtrug on a full-time basis at Bhumi Pali Bhavan (BPB), Tagtrug's home for the past 17 years. Erin has a lifetime of experience within the field of human resources. Her father has worked in the field more than 30 years and many special individuals spent time in her home and with her family. Of her background Erin says, "I grew up seeing we are all different with unique abilities." Working full and part-time after college as a community integration specialist, she has had experience with individuals ranging from those who are aggressive to those with varying degrees of cognitive, physical, and psychiatric concerns. Her previous employment was as an SLP providing 24-hour service for a young man with Asperger's syndrome and psychiatric issues.
Erin is an artist with a strong background in visual and building arts. Being a "visual thinker" has given her an advantage and natural talent for working with individuals with autism. As a child she attended The Green Mountain Waldorf School and in 2001 graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Interior Design, after which she was employed as a designer by Susan Sargent Designs Inc. of Manchester, Vermont. In 2005 she completed a year of graduate school studying architecture. She has traveled abroad in Europe studying the Renaissance and Photography, and is presently working on an exhibit of some of her most recent photographs.
She supports Tagtrug's participation within his Buddhist community at Karme Choling in Barnet, Vermont, and has recently taken an interest in the Shambhala teachings herself, completing Shambhala Training Levels I-III and a weekend program, Walking the Bodhisattva Path. She also did an apprenticeship with a local Shaman and studies the Kabbalah.
Joel McMullen is a respite worker providing care three weekends a month at BPB. His background includes training in dealing with individuals who have challenging behavior. He currently lives in Waterford, Vermont on a horse farm, providing care for a young person with autism. He is a thoughtful, kind, energetic and supportive worker whose specialty working with Taggie focuses around physical health; he has been instrumental in motivating Tagtrug to exercise for his well being.
Additional members of Tenga's support team are Laura Pleasant, Finlan Christie, Sali and Noel Tetreault, and Randie Fox and Northeast Kingdom Human Services employees.