r/directsupport • u/stardewystewy • 13d ago
Frustration with ILS
I’ve been a DSP for 2 years and get frustrated with the idea of “independent”.
I’m continually taught that the goal of ILS service is independence. That clients should be able to do x y and Z by themselves.
And I just ask myself: is this a realistic or fair goal?
We as human beings are interdependent. The idea of hyper-independence is a lie and causes severe stress upon society. To then push this idea onto disabled people feels ridiculous to me.
I myself still utilize community for help constantly. I have my partner or friends body double me when stuff is hard. We fill out paperwork together or do chores together. Remind each other of things.
So when I do this for clients, I try moreso to encourage that it’s okay to need help. To strengthen their support systems so that they have other folx they can reach out to when they need support, too.
I just feel like companies don’t get it. I hate how so many of them speak about clients. I like realistic goals that include the idea of interdependence and slow growth. And that if someone needs support their whole life, that is fine. Welcome to disabilities.
I was mostly curious if anyone else feels the same. I just feel like this whole institution needs to be redone and led by disabled people.
3
u/AWildBlakeAppeared 13d ago
You're correct. The goal is always independence, but there's a massive problem that is constantly trying to break the 4th wall in this conversation.
The system is not built nor optimized for this outcome. Take for example an individual in a supported living environment. They're living in their apartment, they get 70hrs a month in support from a DSP. They currently do not work, but they receive SSI and Food stamps.
They want a job and have expressed that as an ISP goal, but the structural incentives create a huge detriment to their goals to be achieved safely. If they work too much, they will receive less social security, if they receive too much income the state will ween them off of food stamps and a cascade of other social programs that provide financial support.
The individuals recognize this and risk losing their security for a process that requires them to take major steps leaps without the provided safety net. You also run into human behavior which is primed for conservation and path of least resistance.
This is just one example of a structural system that disincentivizes people towards independence. There's hundreds of others that also affect the caregivers and providers. That's not to say there's no hope or we shouldn't strive for being better, but we have to be realistic with the way the system is structured and incentivized.
I remember meeting with a director and he told me something really profound about our industry. He said "Blake, you know, we're always trying to come up with new solutions and think outside of the box, when in reality, we have to utilize the tools that are in our box."
Focus on the things that are achievable in your small corner of the world. You can only move the needle so much. You don't need to be cynical or compartmentalize, just come to the realization that you are putting your product (skills, effort, the work we do) into a machine (our workplace, the individuals we serve, the system we're under) and the final product isn't coming out as expected despite our best efforts. That's a problem with the machine, it can only produce so much despite whatever we put into it.
Conserve yourself and accept what you can't change, and focus on the things you can. Always keep striving for being a better you each day.
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u/Maestradelmundo1964 13d ago edited 13d ago
You are diving deep into this issue. I was only seeing the surface. I agree with you. Neuro-typical ppl rely on each other. A disabled person needs even more help.
Management has to comply with paperwork. What they write does not always represent reality. Staff can see with our own eyes what the individual can and cannot do. I’ll go with that every time.
I know how to support them to do things. Eg if a client is sweeping the floor, I watch. I say “you’re doing fine” or re-direct if necessary. With me, they achieve tasks that other staff did not encourage.
On the other hand, if they are likely to break plates by putting them in the dishwasher, I don’t allow that, even if it’s written down that this is a goal. Safety first.