Direct Support Professionals
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Direct Support Professional Recognition Day
State House Lawn, Concord, NH September 25, 2009
The following is speech by Robin Carlson, a Direct Support Professional, that was given to a group of people who were celebrating Direct Support Professionals in New Hampshire at our State Capitol. The Yellow Flag Campaign, created by Barbara Wilson, was on display with over 100 flags lining the walkways leading up to the State House.
Direct Support Professionals are the backbone of any community support system. If given a choice, most of us would choose to live life on our terms – in a home surrounded by friends and family and working at jobs we want to wake up to.
People with disabilities were denied these basic rights for decades prior to 1991 when institutional living was their only option in New Hampshire. With the courage of families and advocates for social justice, people with developmental disabilities were given the right to live as free people in our communities.
People with disabilities offer our society opportunities to draw out character traits in our collective humanity that may lay dormant otherwise in a highly competitive world. Compassion, authenticity, creative problem solving, understanding, cooperation, tenderness, patience, persistence to name but a few.
Direct Support Professional’s real work is to discover people with disabilities gifts and capacities and help them find ways to contribute their talents to society in general. Part of or jobs may be to help people with personal care or daily living needs but mostly we are needed to support people on their life journeys.
We are bridge builders by helping people meet each other. We are social educators by helping dispel stereotypes and promote valued roles. We are allies with people with disabilities as they find their voice for inclusion and justice.
BUT, unless we make Direct Support a viable career option with living wages, health and other long term benefits, and ongoing training and support our most vulnerable citizens will live poor quality lives.
Direct Support Professionals are helping make the world a better place!
Thank you for you time.
Robin Carlson
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