Her manager said "No" to a vacation request. And we celebrated! The person who was declined a simple vacation request is 21 years old, holds a good job at a chocolate store in Rehoboth Beach, has autism, is named Hope, and is my daughter.
You may wonder why we would celebrate a declined vacation request. Because Hope was needed that day. Hope had submitted a vacation request like any other employee. The requested day was the Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth, one of the busiest days of the year - a day where a chocolate store needs products made and on the shelf.
Her manager declined her request because Hope is valuable to that business and they couldn't do without her. She worked that day with a smile, and after her shift then family celebrated this great victory with ice cream!
This story is not so much about Hope, but the incredibly dedicated and loving people who support her. In the disability community these folks are called "direct support prof~ssionals." The DSPs help her at work, explaining to her manager how she thinks and how she does things. They are there to help guide her with instruction, if needed. And over time she has gained more and more independence.
With the fantastic work of these DSPs, Hope has kept a great job for three years now. To Hope, dipping chocolates gives her satisfaction of a job well done. She feels valued. It shows she's productive. She likes making a paycheck and is even bummed out about paying taxes. It sounds a lot like you and me when we have a good job.
But without the help of direct support professionals this would not happen. We lifted an ice cream that day to Hope's hard work, but as I lifted my ice cream my heart celebrated the great work of her direct support professionals. They are heroes in the eyes of many, and are worthy of utmost thanks. Many other families have similar stories of how these heroes help individuals with disabilities around the state.
Here's the dirty secret, though. These DSPs make very little money. Something to the tune of $12.50 an hour, and sometimes less. Imagine that pay for the immense responsibility they shoulder and go through training required to do this difficult job. Even though they love what they do they also deserve to be able support their own family.
Delaware saw this issue years ago, conducted a study, and found the direct support professionals and agencies they work for were lacking $19 million in state funding. The legislators promised to fund the gap, but the economy took a turn. The disability community has asked for that gap to be filled over the years but have been told "not yet."
Well now's the time; the state budget has the resources this year. House Bill 104 is on the slate to be voted upon in this session. It is asking for $9 million this year, with the remaining over the course of three years. I am imploring those in the Legislature and Gov. John Carney to finally say yes to House Bill 104.
The direct support professionals have worked diligently, holding on to the promises of full funding.
The agencies that hire DSPs are seeing a turnover rate because of the small wages that make everyone in the disability community worry. This bill will finally enable those agencies to increase wages and provide needed training.
When you eat that chocolate treat or pizza, or whatever, please know you may be enjoying a product someone with a disability put their love into. But also know there are some behind the scenes who need funding to properly support them.
It's time to fulfill the promise. It's time to fill that funding gap. Mr. Governor and state legislators, it's time to vote yes to House Bill 104.
Rodger Pearce
Georgetown
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