Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

My whole life I have had a disability. I have gone without supports so many times. I have said it before, but there is a difference between being disabled and handicapped. That difference is the Direct Support Professional(s) who support me. Done right, a DSP should help the person they support live their life without being held back by their disability. (I believe that’s the difference between being handicapped and disabled)

Next week (Sept 13th-Sept 19th, 2026) is DSP week. I am so thankful that our nation realized that this profession needs to be celebrated. But I also realize that agencies, families, and the individuals themselves may have a hard time figuring out how/what they should do to celebrate. So this blog post is going to be different. I’m gonna share things/ideas I have done in the past, in hopes that they spark ideas or get used.

Some ideas that I have done in the past:

I have made homemade coupons that say things like: you get to pick the radio station, one free drink on me, or you get to pick where we get to eat lunch, etc. I’ve made baskets. (filled with their favorite snacks, mud masks, night-in baskets, so popcorn, movie, etc). A heartfelt note or picture goes a long way. “Serving” them for a change, making or buying them a meal and presenting it to them. Meaningful gift cards like a carwash, or AutoZone, or a free oil change. (This is two-sided because if I need transportation, I want their car to be safe, clean, and ready to go).

You can also do what I call memory unlocks, where you share with them your favorite memory or moment that you shared with them. Having other co-workers write what they value about them. Homemade funny awards such as: the best driver to Walmart award, or the funniest dance partner. Funny thank you as well. ( thank you for not going crazy when I couldn’t decide what I wanted to eat, thank you for letting me vent in your car, thanks for jamming with me when we were in our jammies, etc.)

What can agencies do: Chinese auctions, give flowers or coffee cards. You can make videos with the individuals showing and telling them how amazing they are. Provide a meal for them (but remember all shifts), praise reports, Gift cards, car gift baskets. Theme parties like superhero night or PJ parties, custom gift bags, car packages, the list is endless.

This field has constant turnover, made DSPs leave not because they don’t care but because they feel unappreciated, not heard, overworked, and burnt out! Although we should be celebrating them every day (because let’s face it, they ARE THE BACKBONE TO THIS FIELD), go above and beyond this week.

Celebrating them may slow down the turnover rate. Ask yourself this, was there ever a job where you felt invisiable or devalued? How did that make you feel? Did it cause you to want to stay or leave? Don’t be that job for them. CELEBRATE THEM, like you wished someone would have celebrated you!