Friend, caregiver, confidant, cheerleader - direct support professionals (DSPs) wear a lot of different hats on the job as they provide support and assistance for those with disabilities. This, in turn, creates a lifelong, positive impact on those they serve; DSPs help their clients thrive in their everyday lives while creating some of the most heartwarming and rewarding memories in the process.
Paladin Inc., an organization that provides resources and services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has approximately 75 DSPs on its Lake County team as well as an additional crew attending to its Porter and La Porte County individuals to make sure those of all abilities across Northwest Indiana can reach their fullest potential.
“The DSPs are very hands-on and work very closely with the individuals,” said Paladin Lake County Day Program Director Tammy Gonzalez. “The DSPs are there throughout the individuals’ entire day helping them with their goals, taking them on community outings, and so much more. The DSPs are really close to them; they know individuals better than almost anyone else. They know pretty much everything about those individuals.”
Lisa Howard, a DSP at Paladin’s Hobart location, knew helping those with disabilities was her calling while caring for her sister. Watching her sister’s life light up with joy because of her care meant the world to Howard, and experiencing it firsthand inspired Howard to create that same feeling for as many others as possible.
Howard has now been a part of the Paladin team for six years and absolutely loves coming to work each day to continue to spread that joy to others.
“My favorite part is coming here every day because they're amazing,” Howard said. “I learn something new from each and every one of them every single day. They all bring a different personality, a different energy, from jokes or artistic work and just different things like that. I enjoy it.”
Howard is always seen having pep in her step while walking the Paladin halls, which has led her to become the team cheerleader. Some of her favorite memories come from helping with extracurricular activities. Not only does it let her team take part in physical activity, but they are also able to do so while establishing skills and creating friendships guaranteed to last a lifetime.
“I help them learn new dance moves and get ideas from them. I work to really pull that out of them and create unity. I feel like we have a little unity group,” Howard said.
As a caregiver for her late grandmother, Briana Brooks – another fellow DSP at Paladin’s Hobart location – was called to join the field for a reason similar to Howard's. She now has a total of three years' of experience under her belt. Only a few months of those have been at Paladin - she joined back in April - but she loves the facility and its people through and through.
“My grandma was the reason I got my Home Health Aide (HHA) license and what made me want to go help others. If I can help my grandma, I know I can touch other people's lives and help them,” Brooks said.
Brooks is proud to assist and loves taking the individuals she serves out and about in the local community. Taking them on trips allows for a break in routine while having the time of their lives at events they may not have had access to otherwise. This summer, she accompanied them to the Lake County Fair, and it was easily the highlight of the season.
Brooks is also a strong advocate for helping others succeed no matter what life may throw their way.
“We try to help the individuals we serve know that they can do anything they put their minds to,” she said. “We teach them safety as well in regards to the world outside of our facility and life in general because they go through the same things as we do. We try to make them feel not less of a person, but more of a person.”
Hobart DSP Sandra “Sandy” Turner has had quite a range of titles over her 30 year career at Paladin - such as coach and program manager – but knew that she was truly meant to shine as a DSP.
When she was in junior high school, Turner came across a 14 mile charity walk when Paladin’s Hobart location was under its previous name, Lake County Association for the Retarded. The walk piqued her interest, and the rest is history. She fell in love with both the field of work and the company after the walk and has never looked back since.
“I never heard about the organization until then, but I said to my friends ‘Come on, y'all, let's walk,’ and I became interested in this type of work,” Turner said. “I walked for three years with them. After that, I got another job and moved away, but when I came back, this was the first place I applied for.”
Whether it's helping the individuals at Paladin with bus rides, daily routines, arts and crafts, a new skill, or whatever the day may bring, Turner loves it all. She thoroughly enjoys their company as she helps them develop independence and learn life skills. To her, there’s no greater feeling than knowing she is able to help them out and be such a crucial part of their lives every single day.
Some of Turner’s favorite moments over the years come from just watching everyone have fun and socialize with one another. A warm smile comes to her face as she specifically remembers a time a celebrity impersonator came to Paladin - everyone loved seeing them act out impressions of artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Elvis. Watching people’s eyes sparkle as they burst out with laughter and glee warms Turner’s heart like no other, making it an easy favorite memory in her book.
“Anytime we have a DJ, a party, a dance, or even karaoke, I just love seeing them have fun. I enjoy seeing them dance and socialize with their peers. Those events are always a ton of fun,” Turner said.
To celebrate all the hard work DSPs such as Howard, Brooks, Turner, and many others do, a special week is set aside each year, appropriately titled DSP Week. DSP Week began nationwide on September 8 this year, and the Paladin team has gone all out to show their appreciation for its DSP team. At the Hobart location specifically, this included a heartfelt video showing their love for the team, as well as a fun food truck outside the Hobart location every day throughout the week to give them a tasty treat while they’re all hard at work.
“Our staff loves to eat, so we decided that the best way to appreciate them was through their tummies,” Gonzalez said with a smile. “Without the DSPs, we wouldn't be able to do our job. They are the main building blocks of helping individuals. They're the ones that are on the floor, working with them throughout the whole day, teaching them their goals, listening to their problems, listing when they have a great day. They're really there to support the individuals more than pretty much anyone else throughout the day, and we greatly appreciate them for all that they do.”
For more information on Paladin, please visitpaladin.care.
