Declan Handley-Byrne has been working at the Strong National Museum of Play as a host for more than a year, but he’s already learned so much, including a passion for pinball.

“This whole row is in chronological order. This machine is an antique. They don’t make these anymore. I believe this is an Atari machine,” Declan said smiling. “If I could, I would get myself a pinball machine at home, but I don’t have the space for it."

What You Need To Know

  • Declan Handley-Byrne started working as a host at the Strong National Museum of Play more than a year ago after completing an internship there through the Self Program

  • The Program provides employee readiness services for people with autism

  • The program, and working on the job, have helped him overcome his own mental health battles

  • Declan has also found a passion for pinball throughout his time at the museum

As a host, he cleans and cares for a space in the museum, including the pinball exhibit. It may seem like a simple job, but the opportunity to work means the world to him. 

“I was diagnosed with autism when was in eighth grade, so late middle school, I mean, and before that, we thought I had ADD or something else," he explained. 

The CDC reports one in four people have some type of disability. According to the National Library of Medicine, 28% of men with disabilities struggle with their mental health. 

Becoming employed was a blessing, but living with depression and anxiety too, Declan didn’t feel prepared to function in the working world. 

“I’ve had some days that are, that were ... I just wasn’t ready to work, for lack of better terms, sometimes you know,” he said.

Declan started at the museum through the Self Program which is an employee readiness service for people with autism to work on their social skills, financial goals and work ethic. 

“I was trained to make eye contact and speak clearly, which was difficult for me at the time. But now is almost like second nature," he said. 

But it’s other knowledge that makes him think he won the job jackpot. 

“I actually didn’t know how much I loved pinball until I started Self. So that’s another thing they helped me discover," he said. 

The game has helped his mental health. 

“There’s also a bit of a general rule with pinball machines based on movies, where if the movie is good, the machine is not going to be good," he laughed, adding that the Lord of the Rings movie breaks that rule. 

“It’s good at cheering me up, certainly,” he explained. “It’s a pressure release.”