Photos courtesy of Lee Krohn Photography.
Vermont Business Magazine About 100 people — including DSP workers, clients, agency administrators and governmental leaders — turned out to recognize the work done each day by these skilled staff who support people with developmental disabilities at a September 14 event honoring Vermont’s Direct Support Professionals at the State House in Montpelier.
This event occurred just hours after the US Senate voted unanimously to pass a resolution for the recognition of Direct Support Professionals Week.
During the Vermont event, Jennifer Garabedian, developmental disabilities division director with the Vermont Dept. of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, said:
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This is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contribution that you play in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Direct support professionals are integral to the physical, mental and emotional well being of the people they support.
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The work you do promotes independence and assures that individuals can live in the home and community of their choosing. Your consistent support allows them to achieve their goals and be as independent as possible. DSPs [Direct Support Professionals] are the unsung heroes of our service system.
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You are uniquely positioned to create bonds and connections with the individuals you work with and be present for the milestones in their lives. In many ways, your work allows you to be mentors, coaches, cheerleaders and friends.
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This is not to suggest the work you do is easy — supporting people to reach their full potential never ends, and while your work comes with great record reward, it requires hard work and dedication.
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Unfortunately, all too often, this is overlooked, while you unfailingly show up for the people you work with.
Gloria Quinn, executive director at Upper Valley Services, also spoke, recalling her own time as a Direct Support Professional.
“My life was never the same,” she said. “My experience as a DSP, the values, the mission, the people with disabilities that taught me so much — all of it reframed my view of the world, of life, communities, social justice, inclusion, belonging, relationships, family and leadership.”
People who rely on Direct Support Professionals to live full, independent lives in their own communities shared their stories, too, discussing the relationships they have gained and the ways in which their lives have been positively impacted.
Marcus Blanchard, far right, listens to another presenter.
Marcus Blanchard, of Island Pond, shared his thoughts, which resonated with the crowd gathered.
“Sometimes it can be like family, helping us out as best they can while still letting us take our bigger steps up into community,” he said. “They (DSPs) help us with that first step or that first push towards our grand beginning as we pick up what they teach us and bring us up to the bigger parts of the world.”
