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The Support Files: Do I Live Alone? Let’s Talk DSP’s, Services, & Independence
Do I live alone? Do I actually get to choose my own DSPs? And how did I get disability services in the first place? In this episode of The Support Files, I’m answering some of the questions I get most often about what my support system actually looks like. We’re talking about independent living, self-directed services, hiring and managing my own DSPs, how I got connected to services, and what having control over my support means for my everyday life. Because independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone. For me, it means having the right support, choice, and control to build the life I want. Whether you’re disabled, a family member, a DSP, or just curious about how self-directed support works, this episode gives you a look inside my real life with services.
What does it take to hire your first direct support professional? In this episode of The Support Files, Anna shares what she looks for in a DSP, how she explains the responsibilities of the job, and why finding the right fit matters when someone is supporting your everyday life. Anna and Ari also talk about what makes self-directed support different: the person receiving support helps choose, train, and guide their staff. Ari shares the college student perspective on working as a DSP, what they’ve learned on the job, and why this work can have a lasting impact on both people.
Welcome to The Support Files: Independence from Both Sides! In this introductory episode, meet Anna, a self-directed disability advocate with cerebral palsy, and Ari, her Direct Support Professional with experience across multiple disability-support settings. Anna and Ari share the experiences that led them to create the podcast, explain why perspectives from both sides of the support relationship matter, and discuss what listeners can expect from future episodes. Together, they will examine the DSP staffing crisis, self-directed services, disability policy, community living, and the systemic barriers affecting disabled people and the professionals who support them. These are the stories behind the staffing crisis. These are the perspectives policymakers need to hear. These are The Support Files.