Published TUESDAY July 14, 2026: 'See Me, Hear Me: DOJ's Assault on Disability Rights' Photography by award winning ZUMA Press contract photojournalist Robin Rayne. When Chris Riddell was born in 1975, doctors told his family he likely wouldn't survive the night. Fifty-one years later, Chris has defied every prediction. One of only a handful of people in the world living into adulthood with a rare genetic condition linked to severe developmental disabilities, he spends his days at home in Kentucky surrounded by family, caregivers, and a community that knows him. But a recent U.S. Department of Justice opinion has left his mother, attorney Marie Allison, fearing that the hard-won right of people with significant disabilities to live in their communities could be slipping away. Welcome to 'See Me, Hear Me: DOJ's Assault on Disability Rights'
© zReportage.com Issue #1046 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY July 14, 2026: 'See Me, Hear Me: DOJ's Assault on Disability Rights' Photography by award winning ZUMA Press contract photojournalist Robin Rayne. When Chris Riddell was born in 1975, doctors told his family he likely wouldn't survive the night. Fifty-one years later, Chris has defied every prediction. One of only a handful of people in the world living into adulthood with a rare genetic condition linked to severe developmental disabilities, he spends his days at home in Kentucky surrounded by family, caregivers, and a community that knows him. But a recent U.S. Department of Justice opinion has left his mother, attorney Marie Allison, fearing that the hard-won right of people with significant disabilities to live in their communities could be slipping away. Welcome to 'See Me, Hear Me: DOJ's Assault on Disability Rights'
CHRIS RIDDELL, 51, touches illuminated learning panels mounted on the wall of his apartment while support professional VICKI EIZENSTAT watches. Riddell, who has significant intellectual and developmental disabilities and does not use spoken language, lives independently in the community with 24-hour support. Disability advocates say recent federal guidance questioning aspects of home and community-based services threatens the principles of the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision, which affirmed the right of people with disabilities to live in the least restrictive setting possible.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
MARIE ALLISON, her son, CHRIS RIDDELL, and VICKI EIZENSTAT arrive at Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington for a Sunday morning service.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
VICKI EIZENSTAT works alongside CHRIS RIDDELL in her kitchen as they bake dog biscuits to sell at a local coffee shop. The small business provides Chris with meaningful community engagement and employment, one of several activities Eizenstat supports as his direct support professional.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
VICKI EIZENSTAT works alongside CHRIS RIDDELL in her kitchen as they bake and package dog biscuits to sell at a local coffee shop. The small business provides Chris with meaningful community engagement and employment, one of several activities Eizenstat supports as his direct support professional.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
A fellow church member greets CHRIS RIDDELL, his mother MARIE ALLISON and support professional VICKI EIZENSTAT before service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
VICKI EIZENSTAT organizes the week's medications Chris Riddell takes to minimize seizures, due to a mutated gene birth condition.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
A 50th birthday card for Chris Riddell is tucked among childhood toys in his bedroom. He wasn't expected to live more than a night when he was born, due to complex medical issues from a mutate gene, his mother, Marie Allison, said.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
MARIE ALLISON tucks her 51-year-old son CHRIS RIDDELL into his bed for the night. Chris has multiple intellectual disabilities, is non-speaking, and requires 24/7 support. He lives in an apartment above his mother's house. Disability advocates say a recent U.S. Department of Justice memorandum on home and community-based services could undermine community living for people with profound developmental disabilities.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
CHRIS RIDDELL, 51, gets his morning shower and shave from VICKI EIZENSTAT, his direct support professional. Chris has multiple intellectual disabilities and is non-speaking, but has lived in a apartment with 24/7 support for decades.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
Direct Support Professional VICKI EIZENSTAT helps CHRIS RIDDELL brush his teeth as his day begins. Chris, 51, is non-speaking with multiple developmental disabilities, and has lived in a apartment with 24/7 support for decades. Disability advocates say a recent U.S. Department of Justice memorandum on home and community-based services could undermine community living for people with profound developmental disabilities, arguing it conflicts with the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
CHRIS RIDDELL, 51, collects his bedding with help from VICKI EIZENSTAT, his direct support professional. Chris is a non-speaking person with multiple intellectual disabilities and has lived for decades in an apartment above his mother's home with 24/7 support. Vicki has served as part of his care team for 22 years and was his former special education teacher.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
VICKI EIZENSTAT, a direct support professional, helps CHRIS RIDDELL put on his socks in the morning. Chris has multiple intellectual disabilities, is non-speaking, and requires 24/7 support. He lives in an apartment above his mother's home with around-the-clock assistance. Eizenstat has been part of his support team for 22 years.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
CHRIS RIDDELL, 51, participates in a weekly music therapy session with JANICE KRESSLIEN. Chris, a non-speaking person with multiple developmental disabilities, presses the piano keys in time with the songs Kresslien sings.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
Direct Support Professional VICKI EIZENSTAT helps CHRIS RIDDELL onto a treadmill at a local YMCA. Chris, 51, is non-speaking with multiple developmental disabilities and autism, but has lived in a apartment with 24/7 support for decades.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
Direct Support Professional VICKI EIZENSTAT accompanies CHRIS RIDDELL as they deliver Meals on Wheels to residents of a low-income apartment complex. They volunteer together once a week, providing Chris with an opportunity to engage with his community. Chris, 51, is a non-speaking person with multiple developmental disabilities.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
TWANYA PEACH, a direct support professional, introduces CHRIS RIDDELL to customers at McCloud's Coffee House, a business that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Riddell, 51, who has multiple developmental disabilities, makes all-natural dog biscuits and delivers weekly orders to the coffee house. Advocates and family members fear a recent U.S. Department of Justice opinion could affect community-based living and employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities, including those who rely on extensive support services.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
MARIE ALLISON, 81, talks to her son, CHRIS RIDDELL, 51, who has a profound developmental disability caused by a genetic mutation. Riddell, who is non-speaking and autistic, lives in an apartment above his mother's home and receives 16 hours of daily in-home support through a Medicaid waiver program. Disability advocates and family members have raised concerns about a recent U.S. Department of Justice opinion that they say could affect community-living options for people with significant disabilities.
© Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire
