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...

September 14th: Meet Matt

Matt Gross is the Assistant Supervisor of a residence in Port Washington. Here, he reflects on his work as a DSP and on the meaningful connections that he has made:

I’ve held a number of jobs since I was first old enough to receive my working papers. And whether they were minimum-wage or salaried; in retail, food services, or education; been full-time or part-time; they rarely, if ever, were much more than a weigh station between more consequential endeavors or meant much more than a paycheck. 

"Our shared humanity is our greatest strength," said Matt Gross, an Assistant Supervisor at a Port Washington residence.

When I first took a job with YAI it was as a part-time PM Counselor at a residence in Port Washington. I had no prior experience working in the field. I wasn’t particularly confident I would be of much help to the veteran staff, let alone the residents, who had no reason to trust or interact with me at all. But I quickly learned, trust and hospitality are YAI’s stock-in-trade. 

The speed with which I was able to form a rapport with each resident and the relative strength of those connections given the brief nature of our initial interactions was incredible. By the end of my first day I had already discovered parallels in my life with men and women several decades older than me, from vastly different backgrounds, and with distinctly dissimilar sensibilities.

It’s been over three years since I joined YAI, and though my position and responsibilities have changed since then, my enthusiasm and love for the work I do have remained as constant as that first day working as a DSP. And reflecting now on my time working here, I can say a few things for certain. 

My experience is in no way exceptional or even uncommon. I would venture to guess the vast majority of people who work for this agency do so in part, if not primarily, for the chance to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. It is very near impossible to work in this profession without forming meaningful relationships with the guys or taking a personal interest in the issues and policies that affect their lives. 

Secondly, our shared humanity is our greatest strength. During my tenure at YAI, I have had the good fortune to view, first-hand, the spectrum of disability, each cross-section blending into the next, irrespective of the boundaries we may try to draw. We are more alike than different, regardless of any disparities in cognitive or physical ability. And it is a testament to the universal nature of the human condition that we can recognize the inherent worth and value of every individual no matter how different they might act or appear. 

Working at YAI is a job quite unlike any other. To witness the people I serve overcome obstacles and attain new skills is a job perk few professions can offer. And though playing even a minor role in those accomplishments is sufficiently rewarding, to say it’s the only benefit of the position would be inaccurate. 

Assisting in the development and growth of these diverse and vibrant individuals is more self-fulfilling than I care to admit. At best, any insight they might gain from their collaborations with me is an even trade, because I’m in equal parts impressed and inspired by their strength and adaptability in the face of new challenges. The willpower and unbridled optimism of many of our guys is astounding and a welcome reminder of the inner strength we all possess to succeed in the face of seemingly overwhelming hardships. 

In the past few years I’ve watched residents battle illnesses, hospitalizations, loss of mobility, dietary changes, and cognitive decline. I’ve seen residents struggle to adjust to new living situations, navigate family issues, and deal with interpersonal conflict. And, most difficult of all, I’ve seen a resident, and dear friend, grapple with the final stages of a terminal disease and death. But through it all I’m comforted by the knowledge that I’ve done everything in my power to ease their burdens and, more importantly, celebrate their victories. And that means much more than a paycheck. 

September 13th: Meet Kristin

Kristin Aucancela considers her work as a Direct Support Professional at a group home so much more than a job. 

Kristin Aucancela with Johnny, a resident of an RCALD group residence.

Working with the residents at a Rockland County Association for Learning Disabilities' (RCALD) group home has been extremely rewarding. "To know the residents depend on me and look to me for help . . .  I love that. I've grown to love the guys in the home. They are an extension of my family."

She knows every residents' birthday and is known for baking birthday cakes on her own time for them. If someone is staying at the residence for a holiday, while others may go to be with their families, she is the first to invite them to her own home.

"She is the caring, nurturing mom of our program," says Dave Wardell, Supervisor of the home, who knows how fortunate he is to have had Kristin on his team for nearly four years.

Kristin makes sure her 5-year-old daughter Isabella visits the home and attends events. "It's important that she sees all people and that when she sees someone with a disability, she understands they are no different than anyone else."

With four years experience at RCALD, Kristin says the learning never stops. "People think if you have a disability, you don't have a clue about what's going on. My guys are amazing. They are always asking questions."

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 September 12th: Meet Anna

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.

Anna Quaranta does whatever it takes to help the people she serves.

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.”

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September 11th: A Mother's Tribute

Olga, the mother of 34-year-old Richey, describes in her own words how staff throughout YAI have helped her son.

Richie, a resident of a YAI group residence, with Olga, his mother.

Richie had been doing really well until two years ago when he hit a wall. He would just stay at his group home and play on his computer. A team of Direct Support Professionals in his YAI group residence, along with the home’s supervisor and psychologist, worked closely with him to get him through this rough time.

He began attending YAI's Long Island Employment Services program, where staff helped him get a job at Accenture, where he works on the computer. He's really, really happy there. He still works at Stop & Shop, and he's starting to go back to the gym.

He sounds happier. The staff at his group home and employment program have really helped him turn his life around.

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September 10th: Meet Kathleen

Kathleen Sutphin can thank her parents for some valuable advice that she puts into use every day on the job as a Direct Support Professional (DSP).

Kathleen Sutphin, left, with Lisa, a resident of NIPD/NJ's Westwood Apartments.

"My parents always taught me that you can't fail if you never stop trying," Kathleen says. "I encourage the individuals I support at my program to think that way, too."

Kathleen is part of a team of DSPs who provide 24/7 support at the National Institute for People with Disabilities of New Jersey's (NIPD/NJ) Westwood Apartments, home to 16 individuals.

She is among thousands of DSPs throughout New Jersey on the front line helping individuals in their homes, apartments, on the job, in the community. The week of Sept. 9, 2012 marks the start of National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.

"I have learned that we as DSPs have an impact in this field on a daily basis," Kathleen said. "This job isn't just dispensing medications or bringing the people we support to appointments; it's being a role model, an advocate, and a counselor to our guys. I think it's one of the most important jobs out there."

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