Recognizing the Strength & Courage of Our DSPs

In September, RISE Services, Inc. Oregon honors Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week by celebrating the vital role DSPs play in supporting individuals with disabilities. These dedicated professionals provide care, guidance, and empowerment to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), helping them navigate challenges and embrace growth opportunities. It takes remarkable strength and courage — from both DSPs and those they support — to overcome obstacles and keep moving forward toward a brighter future. While our DSPs exhibit numerous admirable qualities, there are two that stand out.

Inner Strength

Inner strength, also known as resilience, is the ability to push through stressful situations and personal difficulties without giving up. Resilient individuals adapt to the current circumstances and use their experiences to learn and grow. Although inner strength is important for anyone to have, it’s not always easy to learn. A few ways our DSPs have built personal resilience include

• Remembering their why – why did they join the RISE team?
• Leaning on seasoned DSPs who have experience in problem-solving and pushing through difficult situations.
• Standing firm through stressful circumstances because they are making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

Courageous Spirit

Courageous individuals face tough situations even if they are afraid or anxious about what could happen. There are many unknowns in supporting individuals with disabilities — Is the individual receiving the right amount of residential support? Is the newly licensed host home ready to love and care for a foster youth in need? Has the participant received the proper amount of job coaching to be ready for her new position?

Courage and confidence during times of doubt enable DSPs to do their best and believe in the adults they support. Below are a few examples of how our DSPs lead with courage:

• Choosing to learn how to assist people with IDD with daily living skills, such as house cleaning, bathing, and light cooking.
• Trusting in the self-directed choices of adults with IDD, believing they have the right to make their own choices regarding their support and care.
• Stepping out of their comfort zones to develop friendships with the children and youth they support and begin to understand they can be valuable and productive members of their community.

Transforming the Lives of People with Disabilities 

RISE Oregon invites you to honor and celebrate the DSPs in your community. To learn more about our services for children and adults with disabilities, or to begin a new career with RISE, contact us today.