I’ve been doing this work for 26 years. I’m a direct support professional and also the residential program manager for a supportive living program. My role is to help people live as independently as possible, whatever that looks like for them.
That support can be anything: going to medical appointments, managing medications, meal planning, budgeting. I help them look over their pay stubs, figure out what bills are due, and make sure they can still do the things they want to do. It’s not just about tasks—it’s about supporting people in living the life they choose.
Even though I’m a manager, I still love the DSP part of the job most. That hands-on work is where you build relationships and really make a difference. Paperwork is part of it but being present in their lives, that’s the heart of it.
My passion for this started with my brother. He was diagnosed with mild autism, and I fought hard for him to get the services he deserved. Someone once told me, “You’re really good at this,” and that was it. I made a career out of it.
The program I work in isn’t 24/7. People might need daily support at first, or just a check-in once a week. It’s all based on what they need and their goals. We have people in the program as young as 22 and others close to 67. Some come in with very basic skills and may not know how to turn on a burner or boil water. Others are like little chefs who hardly need help at all. We start where they are.
Technology helps a lot. We use things like the Pill Drill, which lets them sort their meds ahead of time, and it alerts them when it’s time to take them. They scan it so staff can see they took it without having to be there. That kind of tech helps people live more independently.
What keeps me going is that I love what I do. I never wake up thinking, “Ugh, I have to work today.” Some days are nonstop, but I don’t mind. I’m helping someone live on their own, make their own choices. That means something.
What’s hard is that we’re short-staffed. People come in, see the responsibilities, and leave. You can flip burgers for more money. But in this work, you’re helping someone build a life. Shouldn’t that be valued more?
This work matters. Without us, how do people reach their goals? How do they live on their own, cook their meals, pay their bills? We’re here to support that. To be part of someone’s success story. There’s nothing like it.
