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An Interview with a Direct Support Professional
"Direct Support Professionals are the heart of this work. They're the people who implement change and are responsible for its success and it's important for us to acknowledge and celebrate that!"
For DSP Appreciation Week, we talked to Claire D., a DSP and program manager of person-directed services.
Can you describe your career as a DSP in three words?
"Challenging, humbling, and encouraging."
Why "humbling?"
"Humbling because you're always learning and you don't know everything. I don't try to be somebody who has it all figured out, who thinks 'oh this is how things are, and I have a framework to fall back on,' and then you meet someone new or do something new and it upends that, in a good way. Even if you think you know someone, they can always surprise you."
What is your favourite part about being a DSP?
"Definitely the relationships I make and building rapport and building trust with the people we work for. Seeing people do something new and seeing somebody blossom as a person.
I've had the privilege of supporting people who have made great strides for themselves and being able to witness that has been huge and it's touching when somebody thanks me for being a part of their milestones. That's really awesome."
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to become a DSP?
"Don't assume you know what's best for people, let them tell you, and allow for change. People aren't going to stay the same, even if it's been ten plus years, people can definitely surprise you. Stay open, stay curious, and be open to learn."
Claire D. has been a DSP for over eight years and she has been working at Karis Disability Services for the last two. Recently, she has also become the program manager of person-directed services in Hamilton, ON.