An event that recognizes local direct support professionals

HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) -- Every year, September 8th through the 14th is a week long celebration of recognizing direct support professionals that work at Able2. They're called "DSP's" and Able2 says they go above and beyond everyday to provide supports to people with disabilities. Able2, is a local organization that strives to better the community and provide services and support to those with disabilities.
Friday at Sullivan Park in Horseheads, they celebrated the individuals who make all of this possible.
"What we're doing, is celebrating our direct support professionals. For all of our direct support professionals we have raffles, chair massages, we have music, we have food, which is always good," says Michaleen Lehman, Director of Outreach and Development of Able2.
The 'Celebrate our Heroes' event was to recognize and thank the hard-working individuals for their dedication in supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in our community.
"Direct support professionals are the bedrock of everything. That group of people keep showing up day after day. They're asked to stretch themselves, to learn new things, to open up their willingness to try new things based on what people with disabilities that they're supporting want to do," says Leisa Alger, Executive Director of Able2.
A direct support professional shared with WENY news why exactly she loves her job and what she does on a daily basis.
"I like to think of the people at my house as my family. I spend a lot of time with them more so then I do at my own house. The people, they just touch your lives. A lot of them have their own ways of communicating with you and it just warms your heart to be around people like that," says Devan Dilmore, direct support professional.
In addition to the 'Celebrate our Heroes' event, Able2 hosted its 5th annual 'Kickin' it kickball tournament' Friday evening, a competition among local non-profits.