Cindy Bentley Overcomes Abuse, Institutionalization, Intellectual Disabilities, & Autism, a Champion

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I Should Say That Out Loud

Donna Brendel

42 episodes

4 days ago

When Donna Brendel was diagnosed with autism as an adult, the drive behind her passion for advocacy made more sense than ever. Her special interest is fighting for hurting people. She has a lot to say, and she's finally ready to say it out loud.

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Personal Journals

Society & Culture

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Cindy Bentley Overcomes Abuse, Institutionalization, Intellectual Disabilities, & Autism, a Champion

I Should Say That Out Loud

1 hour 33 minutes 36 seconds

9 months ago

Cindy Bentley Overcomes Abuse, Institutionalization, Intellectual Disabilities, & Autism, a Champion

In this guest interview episode, Donna Brendel was privileged to spend an afternoon with Cindy Bentley. Cindy graciously, openly, and honestly shares her inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in foster care and institutions to becoming a world-renowned Special Olympics athlete and advocate for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. She discusses the importance of love, support, and faith in overcoming adversity, as well as the need for community engagement and resources for people with disabilities. Cindy emphasizes the significance of listening to children, treating everyone with respect, and the power of personal growth through sports and education. Cindy knows the meaning of I Should Say That Out Loud's 2025 word of the year, "Pro'ject," and shouts it loud and clear through her life as well as her words, "I'm gonna be my own person at the end of the day." Poignant quotes from Cindy: "Young people need to have a voice." "By the grace of God I've lived through this." "I wanted to be challenged." "What's an alarm?" (first day in her own place.) "There's so many myths...I love reading, and people think people with intellectual disabilities don't even know how to read either." "Get out of the fishbowl and get a job." "I have my struggles. Every day I get up and thank God." Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Background of Special Guest, Cindy Bentley 02:02 - Beginning of Interview with Cindy Bentley 03:34 - Surviving Abuse and Trauma 06:43 - Institutionalized - It Was a Very Horrible Place 08:15 - Finding Faith and Overcoming Anger 09:50 - Growing Up in an Institution - I Didn't Have a Voice 10:53 - Teachers: Believe in Us, Challenge Us 14:26 - Moving from the Institution to a Group Home 18:19 - World Travel and White House Visits 24:03 - Cindy's Athletic Achievements and the Power of Forgiveness 26:09 - Autism and Intellectual Disability 28:34 - Group Homes and Community Services 31:03 - Her Own Apartment, With Cats, No Roommates! 35:28 - Discovering a Talent for Running and Joining Special Olympics 37:20 - "My Faith Saved Me Too" 39:14 - Emotional Therapy for People with Disabilities 40:53 - Cindy's Dedication to Prayer and Serving Others 46:33 - Overcoming Childhood Struggles Through Athletics 50:21 - Circle of Friends 52:07 - I'm Here to Teach (Until God is Ready for Me) 55:00 - The Good and Bad of Foster Care 01:01:44 - Cindy's Career Path 01:12:21 - Volunteering to Build Skills and Land Jobs 01:18:00 - I'm Not a Person Who Sits in the House 01:19:35 - So Many People Are Lost 01:24:00 - I'm Gonna Be My Own Person at the End of the Day 01:27:30 - Celebrating 40th Anniversary Out of the Center (De-Institutionalized) 01:30:02 - "Young People Need to Have a Voice"