The Department on Disability Services concludes its recognition of Direct Support Professionals Week by celebrating Sarah Lee, DSP with Behavioral Research Associates.  Sarah has dedicated her life to helping others.  It was in her childhood home that she honed her skills in dressing others and preparing and serving meals.  The mother of two is a former teacher’s aide who grew up taking care of her older sister who was born with an intellectual disability.  Sarah later became the primary caregiver for her mother after she suffered a stroke, assisting her mother with speech therapy and other rehabilitation exercises.

With Behavioral Research Associates nine years now, Sarah provides one-on-one support to a person with disabilities.  For her, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing the progress the person has made over the years.  In the beginning of their relationship, Sarah noted that the woman would behave in a negative manner, doing things to push Sarah away; but Sarah was undeterred, recognizing that the behavior was a just test.  “People with disabilities are like everybody else.  The want love just like we do and they want to know that others will stick with them.”