| Society has its own perceptions of "normal". Whether | | | | hear, speak or how bad off they seem to be, they |
| it's how to dress, act or speak; there's definitely a | | | | are PEOPLE first and foremost, and should be |
| grand blueprint for us all. What about those of us | | | | treated as such. Do you like it when someone |
| who society has cast out or forgotten almost | | | | mistreats or abuses you? |
| altogether? I'm not talking about those Goth kids | | | | 2. They CAN communicate. |
| who go out of their way to be different, or even | | | | As I have said above, although they can't speak, |
| the homeless guy who begs for change at your local | | | | hear, read or write, there is a way they can |
| convenient store. I'm talking those who have | | | | communicate if they are feeling bad, hungry, want |
| Developmental Disabilities. | | | | attention or just about for anything. Most have a |
| Those individuals who suffer from Down's Syndrome | | | | Speech Language Pathologist, or SLP, that can help |
| or Cerebral Palsy, and like ailments, are societies' real | | | | determine how they do communicate if it's through |
| diamonds in the rough. Out of my entire work life, I | | | | sounds and gestures, or adaptive equipment. |
| have worked several years with these genuine | | | | 3. They aren't all the same, even if they have the |
| people. And I have never regretted a day spent with | | | | same conditions. |
| them. These are the people, yes PEOPLE, our society | | | | Some individuals might have a more severe case, or |
| has tried to wash it's hands of for hundreds of years. | | | | another condition that complicates their situation. If |
| When I was just 15 years old, my mother scored a | | | | one person has mild schizophrenia, cerebral palsy, and |
| job at a local agency called, "ResCare". At first I was | | | | GERD, and another just schizophrenia, the latter one |
| intimidated by their presence, having always heard | | | | may have more hallucinations or needs a different |
| them being teased and hearing horror stories. I didn't | | | | type of medication. |
| want to go visit my mom at work down the street | | | | 4. Regard age appropriateness. |
| out of fear they were 'contagious'. But throughout | | | | If you're treating them like as normal person, would |
| the rest of my high school career and after, I got to | | | | you buy a 'normal' 25 year old a coloring book of |
| really know them. | | | | Dora the Explorer? Even if they can't do Sudoku and |
| I learned how hard working, creative, smart, and | | | | crossword puzzles, buy them instead a workbook |
| talented each person was. I learned that most of | | | | that are able to do and could help them learn and |
| them carried jobs, took care of themselves as much | | | | grow in independence. |
| as they possibly could, and even got married. | | | | 5. Help them, but don't hinder them. |
| Although I made them my new friends and loved | | | | People usually want to be as independent as possible, |
| being around them, I still always told my mom I could | | | | and they are no different. If you know that they can |
| never work in that field. When I was 20, I got | | | | do something on their own, instead of just doing for |
| desperate for work, and by then my mom had | | | | them to make it go faster, encourage them to do it |
| changed companies and been promoted to a hiring | | | | for themselves as SAFELY as possible. By doing |
| position. So I decided to swallow my pride and | | | | things for them all the time, even when you know |
| started working for "PRS of NM." Just after a week, | | | | they are able to, you prevent them from achieving |
| I knew I had found my calling. | | | | that same independence. |
| Having a parent in management had its perk as I got | | | | 7. Be patient. |
| to know the business inside and out. The amount of | | | | Rushing them to do certain things can cause unsafe |
| paperwork, services, caring and hours one individual | | | | and unhelpful things to happen. Their safety should be |
| needed was, and still is, astonishing! My title was | | | | your number one priority. |
| 'Direct Care Staff' and one I wore proudly. Not | | | | 8. Use adaptive equipment when you can! |
| everyone could, or can, do this job. Changing, | | | | If they need to use a gaitbelt, coated spoon, and a |
| feeding, bathing, and spending time with a full grown | | | | walker, use them! They are there for a reason, if it's |
| adult takes a lot of time and energy. Not to mention | | | | for safety or to help them to do things. |
| having to document everything they did. But the | | | | 9. Have fun with them! |
| rewards outnumbered the downfalls. | | | | Every person that I have either worked with, or |
| So, after being in the business of caring for those | | | | have had the pleasure of knowing has their own |
| with Developmental Disabilities for several years now, | | | | personality and sense of humor. So do the things |
| I have learned the Do's and Don'ts as well as giving | | | | that they like to do, and laugh and grow with them. |
| tips to new staff, or even families, caring for these | | | | After awhile, you may not even see it as a job! |
| individuals. | | | | These people are the most genuine people you will |
| 1. Always treat as you would treat any regular | | | | ever meet. They tell you like it is, comfort you, and |
| person. | | | | are by far more caring than any 'normal' person I |
| Even if it SEEMS they cant understand you, see, | | | | have ever come across. |