For Terryl, working as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) isn't just a job—it's a calling that began 25 years ago. Her journey into this meaningful career started when she was volunteering at her children's school, where she met twin girls with disabilities whose needs weren't being adequately addressed by their teachers.

"I used to do volunteer work at the school when my children went there. We had some disabled girls—they were twins—and I ended up being a substitute teacher. When the girls moved to the next grade, their dad asked me to move with them because the school didn't know how to handle them."

What struck Terryl most was how eager these young students were to learn, despite being often overlooked in the classroom. "They were so eager. You could see on their faces they wanted to learn so much," she recalls. This observation sparked something in Terryl—a desire to advocate for those who needed someone in their corner.

This experience was transformative for Terryl. While she had opportunities to work at other schools after this initial experience, she made a conscious choice to focus her career on supporting people with disabilities. Her personal connection to this work runs deep—she also has family members with disabilities, which has given her additional perspective and motivation throughout her career.

The Critical Role of Direct Support Professionals

Direct Support Professionals like Terryl form the backbone of disability support services across the country. They provide essential assistance with daily living activities, facilitate community integration, and help individuals with disabilities lead self-directed lives. In a field that often faces high turnover rates due to challenging work conditions and historically low compensation, Terryl's 25-year commitment stands as a testament to the profound rewards this career can offer.

What makes Terryl's approach unique is her unwavering belief in the capabilities of those she supports. She views her role not as a caretaker, but as an advocate, mentor, and facilitator who helps individuals achieve their full potential and pursue their dreams.

Building Trust Through Understanding

Throughout her career, Terryl has demonstrated an exceptional ability to look beyond behaviors to understand the true needs of the individuals she supports. She shared a pivotal moment with one individual who would tap when feeling nervous or scared—a behavior that previous support staff had misinterpreted as problematic.

"I figured out that she was scared. When I told her, 'You don't have to be scared, I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you,' she just smiled so hard. She never had a behavior with me. She used to have 15 or more incidents a week when I started working with her, but she only had three in the 20 years I supported her."

This story exemplifies what Terryl believes makes an effective DSP: trust, understanding, patience, and communication. She emphasizes the importance of finding ways to communicate with each person, regardless of their verbal abilities.

The relationship Terryl formed with this individual continued long after their formal support arrangement. "Her birthday was just a few days ago," Terryl mentioned during our interview, demonstrating the lasting bonds she forms with those she supports.

Innovative Communication Approaches

Terryl's success stems from her ability to adapt her communication style to each individual's needs. She describes working with a man who cannot speak but communicates effectively through writing and a personalized form of expression:

"We have other people here like one of the guys—he can write everything, he can read anything, he just can't talk. He does well communicating with you. Just give him paper, or he'll tap his hand. He doesn't do regular sign language, but he communicates with you. I know what he wants."

This personalized approach demonstrates Terryl's commitment to finding effective communication strategies that honor each person's unique abilities. Rather than forcing individuals to adapt to standardized communication methods, she meets them where they are and builds from there.

Breaking Down Misconceptions

One of Terryl's passions is educating others about the capabilities of people with disabilities. She often encounters misconceptions that the individuals she supports "can't do anything" or are "worthless"—notions she actively works to dispel.

"I have to explain to people sometimes that they can do anything we can do, and they're not all violent. A lot of them, if they're violent, most of the time they're just trying to communicate—they just can't get their point across."

Terryl recounted a recent experience at a library where a woman approached her, impressed by her work but expressing fear about getting hurt. After Terryl explained her approach to understanding and de-escalating situations, the woman gained a new perspective on support work and the capabilities of people with disabilities.

These educational moments are an important aspect of Terryl's work. By challenging stereotypes and sharing her insights with the broader community, she helps create a more inclusive society that recognizes the value and contributions of people with disabilities.

Finding Fulfillment in Employment Support

In her current role, Terryl focuses on helping individuals find employment—work that brings her immense satisfaction. "Right now I love working with them to find jobs and seeing the satisfaction they get when they get a job," she shares. She maintains open lines of communication, allowing those she supports to call her anytime with questions about their jobs or to discuss their day.

Employment provides more than just a paycheck for the individuals Terryl supports. It offers a sense of purpose, belonging, and contribution to society. When individuals secure jobs that match their interests and abilities, their confidence soars, and they develop new skills and relationships.

Terryl's approach reflects her dedication to helping individuals achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives: "It's just a good feeling to have, to know you're helping them do what they want to do in life instead of just sending them to the corner, paying them no mind, not talking to them. We have deep conversations."

The Personal Impact of Support Work

When asked how this work has shaped her personally and professionally, Terryl's answer was simple yet profound: "A lot, because I won't do anything else. I love what I'm doing. And I get a nice feeling to know that I'm helping other people, and it shaped me in a direction that I want to go in and stay in."

This dedication to the field speaks volumes about the intrinsic rewards of direct support work. While it can be challenging, the relationships formed and the impact made on individuals' lives create a sense of purpose that few other careers can match.

Advice for New DSPs

For those just starting in the field, Terryl offers this wisdom: "Ask questions, talk to your individual, see what's going on. Talk to any staff that had them, but still come up with your own opinion." She emphasizes the importance of understanding each person through conversation with them, their families, and coworkers—while still forming your own perspective on how to best support them.

Terryl stresses the value of comprehensive research and information-gathering: "Read through their books and make sure you understand your individual. There's a lot of understanding you can get by just talking to them, their families, and coworkers."

This balanced approach—respecting established support strategies while bringing fresh perspectives—enables new DSPs to build on existing successes while potentially discovering new ways to enhance the lives of those they support.

DSP of the Month: Terryl - 25 Years of Dedicated Support