By Tom Lydon

Chief Executive Officer

Lifespire Staff,

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (September 13-19, 2020) is upon us once again! Let us take this time honoring our dedicated and innovative direct support workforce who represent the heart and soul of the supports we provide to people diagnosed with I/DD at Lifespire.

On September 9, one such group of Lifespire DSP’s was recognized by the New York Alliance for the outstanding work they provided for our residential folks recovering from COVID-19 at the John Cooke Center. Our heroes, Merry Pena, Yesenia Ortega, Jamal Clark, Khalil Scott, Sophia McKend and Traonia Coleman, did an amazing job keeping everyone alive, safe and engaged during their recovery. All of our DSP’s are heroes as well. You all went “above and beyond” during this COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice!

Having been a DSP myself, I know firsthand what it takes to do the job well. Direct service professionals are a unique group of individuals who are tolerant, good-natured and kind workers; those who can provide the personalized care needed to keep up with the various challenges that are unique to folks with disabilities. Perhaps at Lifespire we are a little biased, but we believe our direct care staff are the best in the industry. Thank you for all that you do every day!

The importance of hiring good direct care staff to work with people with disabilities has long been acknowledged, but perhaps not sufficiently appreciated. Not often enough do we give adequate credit to these wonderful people, people who dedicate their lives to serving those in need of constant assistance and care. Having a direct care professional who is reliable, caring, and flexible can have an extremely significant impact on the quality of life of the developmentally disabled. Thank you for possessing all of those qualities!
Enjoy DSP week! Thank you for all you do for those in our care! On behalf of our founders, Ida Rappaport and Harry Kamish, who are no longer with us but their spirit and vision lives on in each of us…THANK YOU !...THANK YOU!..

With Gratitude,
Tom