KenCrest is celebrating its Direct Support Professionals with various events across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut for DSP Week.
By Sydney Kerelo
KenCrest celebrates Direct Support Professional Week from September 8-14th with week-long events across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. But what exactly is a Direct Support Professional (DSP)?
Direct Support Professionals play a crucial role in the lives of the people we support with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They help these individuals successfully live within their homes and communities, delivering essential long-term support, including medical and behavioral health needs, assisting with daily living activities, and providing proper teachings and social interactions. Their work has a profound impact, and they should be proud of the difference they make every day.
DSPs have job duties similar to those of teachers, nurses, social workers, counselors, physical or occupational therapists, dieticians, chauffeurs, personal trainers, and more. They are essential in creating a healthy, safe, and happy lifestyle for the people we support, and KenCrest's DSPs are critical to our organization.
All DSPs at KenCrest embody that desire to help as many men and women with disabilities as possible. One Lead DSP in particular, Kelechi Nwaogu, boasts about how he was raised to help others in need and how that belief drives him to help others.
“My dad was an Anglican pastor, and we are trained to give back, to support life irrespective of circumstance,” says Nwaogu. “We were taught to do unto others as you wish they do to you, which is what drives me. Anytime I go to work, I thank God for allowing me to serve and to give somebody a reason to live and be happy.”
As a lead DSP in one of KenCrest’s behaviorally challenging community living homes, Nwaogu has tremendously transformed the lives of each person he supports.
“I always say to them, ‘It’s a beautiful day; today is going to be a wonderful day, and they wake up smiling and in a good mood,” he says. “If you engage with them and do daily activities with them, you no longer see them as clients; you’re just clocking in and out. These activities create bonds, and your job will not be a burden; it will be exciting to go to work and do the right thing with them by your side.”
Another DSP at KenCrest, Marlo Maxwell, works with three individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. She has been a constant presence in their lives for the past year. She assists them with their daily needs, takes them into the community, and ensures they lead fulfilling lives. Maxwell also cooks their meals, making sure to make any favorites, like chicken and broccoli, for Danny.
“Being a DSP is so important because it helps the consumers get out into the community and have more interactions and socialization,” says Maxwell.
These are just two examples of the incredible impact DSPs have on the IDD community, and how important they are to those supported.
