Each year UCP welcomes the opportunity to join the disability services provider community in recognizing and celebrating the tireless efforts of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) throughout our region, our state, and across the nation. In preparation for Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, which was celebrated Sept 10-16 this year, we asked our DSPs to tell us in their own words why they do what they do. Many shared memorable moments with the individuals they support.

Here’s one example of how a thoughtful team of DSPs, led by an intuitive, caring supervisor, eased the pain and enhanced the everyday life of Adam, a resident they support at UCP’s Greenbriar home.

“A couple years ago, before I started working at Greenbriar, Adam’s mother passed away. Staff noted that there were several times over the next year that he would start talking about his mother, causing him to feel sad and anxious. Knowing that staff had taken him to his mother’s funeral, I asked about the location of her gravesite. I was told ‘somewhere in New Jersey.’ I felt that maybe the one thing Adam might benefit from was a place he could go and talk to his mom, like we do when we visit a loved one’s gravesite. Knowing that “somewhere in New Jersey” was too far for us to go when the need arose, I suggested we plant a tree in the yard at Greenbriar.

The staff took Adam to Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill where he looked around until he found the exact tree—a beautiful hydrangea tree—that he wanted to plant. We purchased it and then we took on the task of helping Adam plant his mom’s tree. Adam was so happy to have a tree he could go to and tend to, and a place where he feels closer to his mom. He takes pride in watering the tree and watching it grow. He has since placed lights around the tree and a small angel figurine next to it. He’s always eager to show his tree to visitors. It brings joy to my heart to know that this one small effort has had such an impact on Adam’s life, and that he has a place he feels he can go to talk to his mom.”

– Jen Walters, Residential Services Supervisor