It's National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week and we're celebrating by shining the spotlight on some of our staff members. Read on to hear their stories... 

As a Direct Support Professional who provides in-home habilitation, Anna Quaranta does whatever it takes to help the people she serves and their families. And Michael, 40, and his mother, know they can count on Anna.

Several years ago, when Michael had to have several teeth extracted, Anna accompanied Michael and his mother to the hospital. Once Michael was in the operating room, Anna was going to leave, until someone came running toward her and said they needed her in the OR.

Nurses quickly helped sterilze Anna and gave her a gown and a mask. Michael wouldn’t accept the anesthesia without her by his side and so Anna held Michael’s hand and began to calm him. “And when he woke up," said Anna, "I was right there with him in the recovery room.”

For Anna, who has worked with Michael for 10 years, she knew what she had to do. “In my heart, I knew I couldn’t leave him,” she said. “I care so much about the individuals I work with. Giving is just my personal nature.”