Olivia Wendler

Responsibilities

I was a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for Mainstream Living. During my internship, I provided care for adults with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy. I assisted with ADLs including mobility support, personal hygiene, community integration, bathing, dressing, social activities, and medication administration. Throughout this, I also maintained accurate documentation of client progress, behaviors, and health observations. My overall role was to implement clients' personalized care plans to promote their independence and social skills.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment was exposing myself to a field I had no experience in! I had never worked with people with disabilities before and I didn't really know what to expect going into my internship. I've learned so many things that I probably wouldn't have had the chance to learn if I hadn't taken a step out of my comfort zone and taken an internship opportunity in a field I wasn't familiar with. It has really paid off for me and I've made such great memories being a DSP with Mainstream.

Learning experience

The greatest lesson from my internship was how important it is to build trust and rapport in your work relationships. As a DSP, there are some moments that may feel vulnerable for the people you care for. The more they trust you, the more comfortable they are with you, and the easier it is for everyone! It's critical to show them that you are there to help and support them, and that you are someone they can count on. This also opens the door for more meaningful connections that allow you to get to know each other personally and help you be more open with each other.

What advice would you give?

It's totally okay (and normal) for your career plans to fluctuate. I always felt like I kept changing my idea of what I wanted to do in life, and sometimes it worried me that I couldn't fully settle on one career. It wasn't until about two months before I graduated that I finally figured out what I truly wanted to do for work! You don't have to have it all figured out on day one. Take classes that interest you, consider joining clubs or societies, and take advantage of the resources that CHHS offers. There is so much support and guidance around you to help you along the way!