FAQs 
answered by Co-founder Steve Upperco

When I began working in direct support my employee identification number was 1080 which means there were over a thousand people before me helping the individuals reach goals. Sometimes the goals are intimate, like brushing teeth or assisting with getting dressed.  Do you want someone helping you use the toilet? Do you want someone helping you eat? Now, do you want a thousand different people seeing you when you’re most vulnerable? The answer for me is absolutely not.  Asking ourselves these questions helps us find empathy because it becomes personal. It is a necessity for an Individual with developmental disabilities to have assistance reaching goals. I use the word assistance because people like choices. How many of us don't go to the dentist when we know we should? How long does it take us to get to know someone well enough to ask for help? Does it take 6 months to a year? The answer to that question is different for everybody. What if you needed assistance in your daily life and the people around you kept leaving? Have you ever needed to ask an acquaintance or even someone you didn't even know for help? Would you ever ask someone you didn't know to help you with toileting? What if there was someone new in your life assisting you every week and you had a communication barrier? Have you ever had a thought or an idea that you couldn't relay to the people around you? Has that thought or idea been on the tip of your tongue but you just couldn't think of the words to say?  How did that make you feel? It is always easier to work with people we know and trust. Unfortunately, DSPs don't always stick around long enough to build a relationship. 

​

DSPs create an environment where individuals with developmental disabilities can grow with dignity while partnering with their mentors. They search for common interests which help build trust and a relationship. Once the relationship is established then inspiring success becomes easier to achieve. When I worked in direct support I walked the track with a guy who knew lyrics from metal bands like Slayer and Judas Priest. I grew up listening to bands in that genre so I used that connection to build a relationship. After a relationship is established it's tolerable to work on goals. I used all my interests to make connections. We all do that whenever we are in a social situation. 

 

After establishing rapport, a good DSP appreciates the small steps towards positively impacting someone's life. Sometimes the reaction was as subtle as a participant getting out of bed as soon as you walk in their bedroom in the morning to wake them up for work or brushing their own teeth when they’ve been refusing. A burst of laughter is always nice when they finally laugh at one of your jokes. These little breakthroughs are a nice indication that we are inspiring growth. There are individuals with developmental disabilities who can’t traditionally show appreciation by saying thank you. This is why reading body language is so important. It goes a long way when someone addresses you by your name for the first time. It's the little things that matter.

 

After working with the same group for 10 years I was given the opportunity to go to Tennessee. They invited me to go on their vacation to the Smoky Mountains. They paid my way and all I had to do was drive the car and navigate the trip. We stayed in a cabin in the Smoky Mountains, ate steak dinners in theaters, visited Dollywood, visited Ripley’s Aquarium, drank morning coffee on the deck with a mountain view, and built campfires every night. I didn't use our driveway to the cabin because it felt like our van would roll over so we walked up the driveway every time we went to our cabin. 

 

The reason the position isn't as commonly known as other jobs is that people are just unaware of the need. We have definitely come a long way but we also have a long way to go as a society. In 2020 during the pandemic, DSPs were overlooked in ads that recognized essential workers for appreciation. Can you imagine what would happen if there were no DSPs and a person with a communication barrier contracted covid? During the pandemicDSP’s helped provide comfort and assistance during a fearful time with very little information. It is essential for these individuals to have direct support.

 

DSPs are at the forefront of any organization that provides service to individuals with developmental disabilities. These organizations help contribute relief for families and guardians. DSPs create a safe environment where crossing off completed goals can be done with dignity,  free from judgment. Providers can’t operate without direct support. People need to support people. 

We wanted to create a platform where we could appreciate and recognize DSPs using our own interests and so the Platinum Filament 5k Costume Run & Music Festival was created. We are working towards building a brand that is recognized for supporting the special needs community with live music, healthy living, and all-around fun.