Why Direct Support Professional Jobs Are Important

My DSP and I out for a walk.

March is Developmental Disabilities Month.  Keeping that in mind, I am highlighting the importance of Direct Support Professional(s) or DSPs in my life. In the past, I have referred to DSPs as my “personal assistants,” which is my favorite way to refer to them.  In my opinion, “personal assistant” sounds hipper and rolls easier off the tongue. However, the universal and widely recognized term for these wonderful people, who give so much of their time towards helping people with disabilities, will probably always be “caregivers.”

DSPs are of great value in my life because they act in many ways like my arms, hands, legs, feet, and sometimes voice. They help me take care of my most basic needs, such as cooking and then feeding me my meals.  Not forgetting that after the meal is done, they have to clean up the kitchen. However, that is just the beginning of a long list of tasks they help me with every day. Some tasks occur multiple times throughout their shift, like assisting me in the bathroom, which includes helping me transfer on and off of the toilet–plus the paperwork, and washing of hands that usually happens when someone uses the bathroom.  They help me bathe when I want to. They help me with dressing, brushing my hair, and pull it back so it is out of my face, but still looks nice. They help me brush my teeth, and floss. They must help me trim and file my fingernails; I simply can’t function well if my nails are jagged, torn, or too long!

DSPs clean my home, and wash/dry my clothes to my specific desires. They help me up when I fall.  DSPs help me get out of the house for some much needed recreation, mostly clothes/retell therapy.  Oh yeah, DSPs also help my housemate. It’s odd! He is more independent in that he can do more of his self-care, and entertainment preferences. However, he needs more help managing his health care.  Sometimes I feel his health needs become all consuming, and my needs are put aside for a bit. I’m sure he has had the same thoughts about me encroaching on times when he is waiting for some assistance.

DSPs help me take care of my cats. I have two, Donka and Helga.  I’ll ask my DSPs to feed the cats while I hang out in the kitchen, so that I feel a part of the process. Donka is a diluted calico, so she is very temperamental.  She doesn’t like my jerky body movements, and will not let me pet her. When Donka lets one of my DSPs love up on her, I’m thrilled she’s getting attention, but I’m openly jealous about it!  I want Donka’s beautiful green eyes gazing lovingly at me and not at the DSPs. I couldn’t handle being a mom to a human child. My heart would break a little every time I watched a DSP helping her/him do simple everyday tasks, things that a parent should help their child learn to do.

These eyes can melt hearts!

Ying and Yang!

 

DSPs help me communicate from time to time. Because they’re around me 8 hours most days, they learn my unique dialect.  Sometimes DSPs will help me make business phone calls and talk on my behalf. Other times they will assist me with interviews. For example, the other day I had a brief meeting about an issue that needed my input.  I wanted to devote the day to writing, and not talking to a stranger, so I had my DSP help translate for me. Did I take the easy way out? Yes, but sometimes I just have to use the tools that will save my energy for my writing.  My DSP did a fabulous job with translating, and keeping my stress level low. All a part of the job.

DSPs work long hours, with low pay, few raises, and few breaks. They are likely to be overworked, because when DSPs call out for a day, there are few other DSPs on call.  People end up working double shifts, because not enough DSPs are trained to work at different places. Just imagine relying on someone that you have never met before, walking into your home, and YOU needing them to help you in the bathroom.  It would be awkward, because before anything can happen, you first have explain what exactly you need help with. Now imagine that YOU are unable to communicate. It would be a stressful situation, wouldn’t it? While DSPs have a basic grip on their job, each individual they help has their unique personalities and ways of doing things. Both DSPs and individuals served certainly benefit from a little training.

DSPs have to help me when I’m sick, and in turn they have gotten me sick.  We’re in each other’s personal space a lot after all, so it’s bound to happen that we will share each other’s viral illnesses. We also share lots of laughs and fun times, too!  DSPs give me their time day in and day out, which allows my family and friends to lead their own lives.

Clearly, DSPs play an important role in my life. I am in control of my life, but I couldn’t be without the amazing support of my DSPs!   Please consider raising their wages!!!

What politicians should consider, at least every now and then, is if something life altering happened to you, can you imagine the scenario.  If that life altering circumstance left you no longer able to take care of your own needs, how would you want your life to look?  What support would you want in your life?  What support would you need?  Would you want a new person helping you frequently because the wages are not enough to support them or their family?    What if you had a child with a disability, what would you want their lives to be like?  Please consider that we have to rely on DSPs to maintain our health and safety, but they do so much more than that.  They become a person I can count on.  I hope you will consider raising wages for Direct Support Professionals.  Thank you for considering my request.