DSP of the Month: Anna's Journey - From Retirement to Meaningful Service

An Unexpected Beginning

"I mean, I never did anything like that." Anna Smothers' honest admission about entering the disability services field captures the uncertainty many feel when considering a career change later in life. But sometimes the most meaningful journeys begin with the simple willingness to try something completely different.

After thirty years in her previous career, retirement seemed like the logical next step. But Anna quickly discovered that staying home wasn't in her nature. "I'm not a person to stay home," she reflects. A simple internet job search led to an unexpected opportunity—and a phone call that would change not just her daily routine, but her entire perspective on what work could mean.

While professional disability services was uncharted territory, Anna wasn't starting from scratch. Years of caring for family members, including her brother who lives with disability and mental health challenges, had quietly prepared her for this new chapter. Sometimes our most valuable qualifications come not from textbooks, but from the heart.

The Power of Understanding and Respect

What sets Anna apart in her work is her deep understanding of what each individual needs. She shares a powerful example of working with a 61-year-old client who simply wants to be recognized for her capabilities. "She doesn't like nobody to talk down to her because she's capable of doing things by herself," Anna explains. "She works every day, she cleans her own house. So why not let her blossom in doing things that she's capable of doing?"

"All you gotta do is keep eyes on her. Make sure she's safe and she can do everything else."

This approach, recognizing individual strengths while ensuring safety, demonstrates person-centered care at its finest. Anna's philosophy extends beyond professional boundaries into genuine human connection. She acknowledges that while maintaining professional relationships is important, authentic bonds built on mutual respect are what create trust and growth.

Building Bridges Through Connection

Anna's experience working with a young man who is nonverbal demonstrates her intuitive understanding of communication beyond words. "He only does things for certain people, and I know I'm one of them because he knows he's safe with me," she shares. This safety and trust don't happen overnight, they're built through consistent, respectful interactions that honor each person's unique way of being in the world.

Her previous experience at a behavioral school in Jefferson further reinforced her belief in the power of connection. Working as a one-to-one aide with a young person with behavioral challenges, she discovered that mutual respect creates transformation. "He respected me, I respected him. He thought of me as his mother or somebody that he could relate to," Anna recalls. The lasting impact of this relationship is evident, years later, he still maintains contact with her.

Creating Normal Lives

Anna's vision for the people she supports is beautifully simple: normal lives filled with everyday activities that bring joy and purpose. "I want their day to be normal just like a person without, I always say everybody's got some kind of mental health problem anyway," she says with characteristic insight. "Just trying to get them to do normal things, like taking out trash or planting a garden."

This philosophy aligns perfectly with person-centered planning approaches that emphasize community integration and meaningful participation in daily life. Anna's approach recognizes that dignity comes through having opportunities to contribute and participate, not through being sheltered or limited by well-meaning but restrictive care.

Essential Qualities of Great DSPs

When asked what makes a great Direct Support Professional, Anna's answer is immediate and clear: understanding. "Understanding and knowledge of your job. What's the reasoning why you got this job? If you don't have understandings and feelings for the clients in your job, then you're in the wrong place."

Her advice for new DSPs centers on three fundamental principles that reflect evidence-based practices in disability support. First is patience—the willingness to work at each person's pace and recognize that growth takes time. Second is empathy, which she describes as "walking in your client's shoes" and asking yourself how you would want to be treated. Finally, respect forms the foundation of all interactions, acknowledging the inherent dignity and worth of every person.

Advocating for Greater Community Inclusion

Anna's commitment extends beyond individual care to systemic advocacy. She expresses concern about reduced programming for people with disabilities in her community, noting that library activities have been cut back. "They need more things for them to do," she emphasizes, highlighting the ongoing need for community-based activities and inclusion opportunities.

This advocacy mindset reflects her understanding that quality of life depends not just on individual care, but on community acceptance and participation. Her perspective aligns with research showing that community integration improves outcomes for people with disabilities across multiple domains of life.

The Transformative Power of Meaningful Work

Anna Smothers' story illustrates how careers in disability services can be deeply transformative for both the supporter and the supported. Her transition from retirement to meaningful service demonstrates that it's never too late to discover work that aligns with your values and utilizes your natural gifts. "This is a life change," she reflects. "You don't have no idea of what it's like until you do it."

Her metaphor of people with disabilities as soldiers—individuals who "struggle through life" and deserve support—reveals her deep respect for the resilience and strength she witnesses daily. This perspective transforms her work from a job into a calling, where each day offers opportunities to make a meaningful difference in someone's life.

Lessons from a Dedicated Professional

Anna's story offers several key insights for anyone working in or considering disability services. First, personal experience with disability—whether through family, friends, or community connections—can provide valuable preparation for professional roles. Second, the most effective support comes from seeing and honoring each person's individual strengths and capabilities rather than focusing primarily on limitations.

Perhaps most importantly, Anna demonstrates that meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and understanding are not barriers to professional practice, they are the foundation of excellent care. Her approach shows that when we create environments where people feel safe, understood, and valued, we create conditions for growth, independence, and joy.

As she puts it simply but profoundly: "Everybody needs love at some age." In a field that can sometimes become focused on procedures and compliance, Anna reminds us that at its heart, disability support is about human connection, dignity, and the universal need to be seen, understood, and valued for who we are.