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21st ANNUAL DIRECT

SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE

September 10 & 11, 2015

Grappone Conference Center

Concord, NH

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Direct Support Professional "Yellow Flag" Recognition Day

September 11, 2015

State House Lawn

Opening Speech

DSP Recognition Day

September 10, 2012

The following is the opening speech given by Robin Carlson, a Direct Support Professional, at the 2012 Direct Support Professionals Recognition Day, where Governor Lynch issued a proclamation recognizing Direct Support Professionals. The Yellow Flag Campaign, created by Barbara Wilson, was on display with over 100 flags lining the walkways leading up to the State House.

Welcome Governor Lynch, Guests and Fellow Direct Support Professionals

We are here to celebrate the important work of Direct Support Professionals and to honor the women and men who have chosen this career path. We are in step with and continue the work of people like Ann Sullivan who supported Helen Keller to become the great woman she was and a public figure who changed the perceptions of disability, Florence Nightingale who stayed with the wounded soldiers and tried to ease their pain and suffering with skill and compassion, and Mother Teresa who never abandoned the poor. Their legacies have set the tone of our work today which is to believe in what is possible for people with disabilities, take care of our elders and veterans with the compassion they deserve for their contributions to society and to serve with respect and dignity no matter if the people are rich or poor.

This is our profession which is so vital to keeping our society strong. In these hard economic times in a highly charged political climate we need to continue to bring awareness to people who need help through no fault of their own. I am a recent cancer survivor and during my darkest hours of treatment and recovery I needed full support from family, friends and direct support workers. I'll never forget a woman dressing me at the hospital after a surgery and being on the receiving end of a task that I myself as a direct support worker had done for over 28 years. I would not be standing here today if I did not have the good care I got when I needed it most.

These Yellow Flags represent people who need people to not only survive but also thrive. Being a Direct Support Professional can be one of the highest rewarding careers a person can have but unfortunately the sacrifices are steep. Pay, healthcare and professional training are low but the work is so necessary. Together we must strengthen our resolve to care about our vulnerable citizens and the people who support them.

I would like to end by reading a poem written by David Moreau - a Direct Support Professional for over 30 years.

Poems by Direct Care Workers: An Open Letter to the Legislatures of All Fifty States by David Moreau

Don't use it against us

that we become attached

to the people we serve,

that we love them

as we care for them.

Don't think you don't need to pay us

enough to have a home,

to make a car payment,

to bring our children to the doctor...

Don't think we'll do it

out of the goodness of our hearts-

even though our hearts are good.

Don't assume your mother

will keep her dignity today,

that her colostomy bag

will be cleaned correctly,

that she'll be guided gently

through her shower,

that she'll take her medications

and eat her chicken soup.

Three million direct care workers

in our country today-

a million more needed

within a few short years.

Don't assume we'll be there

without your help.

Robin Carlson