Views from the Shore
By Brian Cahill
In April 2021, Shore Medical Center launched a sensory-friendly program in its pediatric emergency care center, a program that has helped so many families in South Jersey. While marketing this collaboration of the experts at the Atlantic County Special Services School and the clinical team at Shore, I have heard many stories about not only the care children on the autism spectrum have received at Shore, but I’ve also learned about the many positive contributions people with autism are making in our local community.
One great example is Shore Local contributor Steffen Klenk. If you have been at an event in South Jersey the last few years, chances are you have seen him there, snapping photos and making people smile. Often times, people find inspiration in art and photography. In Steffen’s case, the man behind the camera is equally as inspiring as any photo he takes.
Steffen, a lifetime local, started his photography journey in 2016. This hobby quickly turned into a passion and he began taking photography classes. In March of 2017, he began working for Shore Local and has been there ever since. Steffen shared that he is on the autism spectrum and that communication did not always come easily. He overcame this by attending local events at which he could hone his communication skills by engaging in conversations with others. He described this as a whole new venture in his life.
When I asked Steffen what he liked most about being a photographer his immediate answer was “It is so much fun.” His favorite styles of photography are shooting in nature, community events in a documentary style, and portrait photography. He loves shooting sunrises and sunsets and mentioned that “There is nothing quite like a South Jersey sunrise.”
Steffen’s photography is rooted in the sense of community throughout South Jersey that is celebrated through the people and history. It is the friendly and down-to-earth nature that keeps him here. He emphasized “The community is really great. Everyone I have met is great. This place has a home in my heart for sure” and that he has gotten to know the community members very well.
Currently, his photography is on display at the Somers Point 20/20 exhibit located on the second floor of Shore Medical Center’s Surgical Pavilion. Though the opening of the exhibit was delayed three years due to COVID, when he saw the exhibit he could only “smile ear to ear.” Steffen’s favorite photo on display was taken at the Trail of Two Cities run from Ocean City to Somers Point. He described the picture as capturing a specific moment in time that showed the community coming together. He spoke about how you can feel that exact moment when looking at the picture.
One of his greatest passions aside from photography is advocating for others with disabilities and allowing them to realize their full potential. One of the programs he spoke highly about was NJLEND hosted by the Boggs Center. NJLEND stands for Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program and is the New Jersey sector of the nationwide LEND programs. This program trains people to care for those with autism and other disabilities.
After our interview, I asked Steffen if there were anything else he wanted to add. He left me with this, “Like I said I love what I do… it doesn’t get any better than that.”
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He is also on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.
