Caring for others deserves applause

May 5, 2020 | post-gazette.com

post-gazette.com

I stand behind the direct-support professionals who tirelessly help. If you’re following Mister Rogers’ advice and looking for the helpers, you don’t have to look far.

There are people out there who dedicate their lives to caring for our society’s forgotten people. Heroes are everywhere; right now we tend to prop up the medical staff, grocery workers, teachers and pizza delivery drivers who are working to keep us healthy, educated and fed. And I agree that we should.

Our direct-support professionals work every day to assure people with disabilities are supported. They are paid a wage that is dreadfully low, and many of them qualify for government assistance even though they work full time. They are putting their own health and that of their loved ones at risk by showing up every day and caring for someone else. That is the definition of a hero.

I applaud all those whose work it is to care for others. It isn’t easy, and most often it’s unrecognized. I and many of my colleagues have been urging our legislators to do the right thing and help those who care for others by helping them where it helps most — in their paychecks.

JOSEPH MILHARCIC
Executive Director
Community Options Inc.
South Side