"This is the first job I've ever done. I feel like I'm fulfilling my potential
and I really enjoy what I'm doing, and I think he likes me being here too."
Name: Don
Role: Direct Support Professional, REM Community Services, West Virginia
Tenure: 17 years
Role: Direct Support Professional, REM Community Services, West Virginia
Tenure: 17 years
How did you come to work in this particular line of healthcare?
I was in a car accident in 2006 that resulted in a severe brain injury. I was mistreated while recovering in a nursing home, ended up getting sepsis, and almost died again. When I was finally discharged in 2007, I was wondering what to do, where I could work. That’s when I met two employees, Joe Lipscomb and Jim Davis. They worked for REM Community Services, a part of Sevita that’s in West Virginia where I live. They suggested I come in and talk with them about the company and the jobs at REM.
I decided I wanted to help people like me, who maybe had some neurological or intellectual disability challenges. I started working with my client, and now we've been together for 17 years. We have a tight bond, just like brothers.
I was in a car accident in 2006 that resulted in a severe brain injury. I was mistreated while recovering in a nursing home, ended up getting sepsis, and almost died again. When I was finally discharged in 2007, I was wondering what to do, where I could work. That’s when I met two employees, Joe Lipscomb and Jim Davis. They worked for REM Community Services, a part of Sevita that’s in West Virginia where I live. They suggested I come in and talk with them about the company and the jobs at REM.
I decided I wanted to help people like me, who maybe had some neurological or intellectual disability challenges. I started working with my client, and now we've been together for 17 years. We have a tight bond, just like brothers.
Why have you stayed and continue to do the work that you do?
It’s fulfilling helping somebody out. It makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something.
The individual I work with needs help and somebody to understand him, stick with him.I can kind of read his mind. I know what he's thinking, what he wants or needs. You just have to pay attention and patience is a big thing, you have to be patient.
It’s fulfilling helping somebody out. It makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something.
The individual I work with needs help and somebody to understand him, stick with him.I can kind of read his mind. I know what he's thinking, what he wants or needs. You just have to pay attention and patience is a big thing, you have to be patient.
"This job makes me a better person. I'm more patient with everybody now,
I'm more understanding, and I'm a good listener."
I'm more understanding, and I'm a good listener."
What advice would you give your younger self?
I wish that I'd started out years ago when I was younger and it would have changed my whole life around. I started as a caregiver later in life because that’s when I had my accident and needed to find a new line of work. But if I'd have done it earlier, I could have accomplished a lot more. I think it's a really good career.
Is there a fun fact you can share about yourself that most people may not know?
I have a Harley that I love riding. I love the freedom out on the road and getting together with a bunch of people and riding together. I’m in a group and we’ve been together a long time. I used to do multiple day trips when I was younger, go to concerts and all that, but now we just ride together.