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I’ve been working with the IDD population for about 11 years in many different roles. My career began in 2013 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), where I supported multiple clients with day-to-day tasks. During that time, I felt a deep connection to the mission. I spent my days one-on-one with clients, helping with daily living skills, personal hygiene, communication, and community integration.
What fulfilled me most were the moments of presence—the laughs, the meaningful conversations, and the personal goals we shared. Simply showing up and being there for my clients felt like enough, and I knew I was making a difference in their lives. It was AH-mazing!
Toward the end of my DSP journey, though, I started to feel worn out. I lost sight of “the point.” Instead of focusing on being my best self for those I supported, I found myself drained, out of ideas, and struggling to separate my own emotions from the work. The sense of fulfillment I once had began to fade.
In 2015, I transitioned into the role of Qualified Professional (QP) after gaining two years of experience. Moving into this position brought new challenges. Gone were the daily interactions with clients—now my work centered on writing plans, completing progress notes, and, of course, billing. I remember the first time I realized I had missed renewing a client’s authorization, and the services had gone unpaid. The fear and guilt I felt were overwhelming. It was my first real glimpse into the harsh reality that, at the end of the day, so much of our work comes down to money.
At 25, just a few years into my career, I started to realize something: yes, the work is about helping others, and that outweighs the money… right? At the time, I was making $30,000 a year—more money than I had ever earned. I was still living with my brother and sister-in-law after relocating, but with this “big paycheck,” I felt like I was moving up. I even started searching for my first apartment.
Fast forward a few years, and I had stepped into the role of Lead QP, supporting a team of about five other QPs. I found real joy in this position. I had built confidence in writing goals, supporting DSPs, and balancing the workload. With the help of others, I created tools to manage the chaos while ensuring services were properly billed so staff could be paid.
The company felt like family. My direct supervisor was incredible—she taught me most of what I know and became a true friend. The “big boss” often worked out of our office too, and I got to know him not just as a leader, but as a person. Learning his history gave me even more confidence in the mission of our organization. I was surrounded by a crew of people who genuinely shared the same purpose.
And then… 2020.
Lake Lure, NC