Do you work with someone who quietly and consistently goes above and beyond what's required on the job? The kind of person who obviously isn't motivated by the paycheck, or their ego, but for the inner satisfaction they get from the work?

I hope that you are as fortunate as I am in this regard. I'm blessed to work with, not just one, but a group of professionals who fit that profile, and they are a true inspiration to me and others each day.

I lead Lakes Region Community Services, the area agency that provides services to people with disabilities in Belknap County and Southern Grafton County. We have 172 of direct support professionals on staff whose dedication helps the people they serve to live free, independent lives — learning new skills, developing relationships, participating in their communities and making their own decisions. We also have an additional group of direct support professionals — home providers who open their home and hearts to individuals with disabilities. Without either group of dedicated individuals and families, we would not be able to do our job.

The role of a direct support professional is one that is equally challenging and rewarding at the same time, it is more than just a job. Working one-on-one with people with disabilities ranging from autism to cerebral palsy or Down syndrome is not easy. Helping them with work, volunteer and participate in recreational opportunities in their home communities can be hard some days. But, as I've observed, it can also be one of the most rewarding jobs anyone could have.

I think back to some of those Direct Support Professionals who we have highlighted over this last year in these articles. Sally, who was so connected with Lany that she left the school system when he graduated and joined him at Lakes Region Community Services. Leslie, who works at the Gilford Hannaford with Fred, Kim and Jason. Ed gained the trust of Josh so that he could experience his dream of flying in a plane. Nancy, who works along side of Mike, Evelyn, Larry and Marshall each and every day at Plymouth State University as part of a landscape crew. For Carrie, who works with Joe and Scott during the day also opens her home to two other individuals as a Shared Family Living Provider, this is truly her life calling.

What I have hoped that you have seen in the articles featured in the Citizen is the commitment of the Direct Support Professionals to assist the individuals highlighted with the realization of their hopes and dreams.

There are nine other area agencies like ours across the state that provide services to people with disabilities in New Hampshire and employ the majority of direct support professionals. There are approximately 1,900 of them that serve 10,000 people with disabilities in the Granite State. Of the 1,900,800 are home care providers who open their homes, hearts, and community life to adults with disabilities.

With the aging of the baby boom generation, the work of direct support professionals will touch each of us during our lives, either as a caregiver or the recipient of care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the number of direct support professionals needed to provide long-term support for people with disabilities will increase by to roughly 1.2 million full-time workers by 2010. This number does not include the projected need for professionals to work with the elderly to allow them to live in their homes as long as possible.

Our agency is very pleased that Governor Lynch recognizes the importance of this profession and has proclaimed Friday, Sept. 26 as Direct Support Professionals Appreciation Day in New Hampshire to honor those like I highlighted here who provide support and services to people with disabilities. Some of the individuals we support have been busy making flags of appreciation for their staff. More than 400 flags from across the state will hang on the State House lawn today to call attention to the statewide recognition of Direct Support Professionals. These folks are true heroes and they deserve our respect. They certainly have mine.



This article was provided to the Citizen of Laconia by Lakes Region Community Services. LRCS is the state designated Agency responsible for supporting the needs of Lakes Region individuals and families living with developmental disabilities and/or acquired brain disorders. For more information on LRCS or to find out how you can support the Agency, log on to the new LRCS website at www.lrcs.org or contact Shannon Kelly at 524-8811 ext. 192.