As caregivers, we are used to helping others. As a paid direct support professional, or caregiver in our own family, it is our business– our job—to help the person with the activities needed to get them through the day. As caregivers, we typically go into someone’s life and “assess their needs”. This usually means defining what they have trouble with and where they need help. We focus on the limitations of the person—what they can’t do and what they need help with. Is it trouble with medications… trouble writing checks… trouble walking and moving around. But when is the last time we asked what the person “CAN” do? Can they cook part of a meal? Could they wipe off the table? Can they put on their own sweater but just need help with the buttons? Do we stop to find out?
What if instead of a disability, we thought of it as a disAbility? How would we treat the person we were caring for? What if we looked past the challenges and limitations a person has to see what the possibilities are? What is the person interested in doing during the day? Are there tasks they like to do but just need a little help? How often do we ‘take over’ so the task is completed faster- for us? Are we being patient enough?
Our attitudes towards others matter—especially those with physical or developmental disabilities. Of course it is our job as caregivers to identify areas people need assistance, but we must not define others based on the deficits they have. Lets take a moment in the month of March—recognized as Developmental Disability Awareness Month—to see our “Ability At Work”; to focus on our strengths and to find the opportunities we have to be independent and productive in all stages of life.