What Can You Do?

Expanding the Circle

As a DSP, I keep my purpose in mind at all times. My main concerns are the needs of the person I am supporting, but there is a bigger picture of which I stay mindful. I make a conscious goal to remove any barriers which prevent the people I support from being ordinary community members and expanding their support circle.  This goes beyond joining local organizations or being seen at church every Sunday.

Do What is Best- Not What is Easiest

How can we, as direct support professionals, help the people we support overcome loneliness? It is not as if we can force people to be their friends, or force them to meet new people.

Of course not. The issue is never about forcing anybody to do anything. We are supposed to look for anything that hampers the ability to form relationships and then remove those barriers.

Don't Limit Me! by Megan Bomgaar

Loneliness and Disability

Who do you call when you have a rough day? Who do you share good news with? Who defends you when other people are talking about you behind your back? Who comes to your birthday parties and sends you gifts at Christmas or Hanukkah? Think about the people you surround yourself with, and make a list of the four most important to you.

Our friends and family are our supports. We share our happiest moments and greatest tragedies with our loved ones, and we are there for them to share with us. We give and receive unconditional love and acceptance, and we gain our sense of belonging in the world from those ties. Ask people what is most important in life, and most will say their families and friends.

What is a Direct Support Professional?

Society labels some people as “disabled.” People with the disability label are people whose limitations are more apparent than those of the general population. Apparent limitations can be a result of a birth anomaly, traumatic injury, or an illness. Some may have limitations in their physical function, some in their emotional expression and reception, and others in