The Direct Support Professional Poem

This poem was written by Buck Hensley, a concerned community member. He wrote this poem to express his concern about the future of the Direct Care Workforce in his local area of Tennessee. The poem was printed by the Direct Support Professional Association of Tennessee in their October 2008 newsletter.

The DSP (Direct Support Professional)

Who? Who? Who shall hear my call?
To serve my people I see as great.
But the world sees as small.
Who will lead them from the shadows
into the light of day.
Who will help them pave their own
way.

Who will serve my people
that for so long have been hidden and
misunderstood.
Who will help them experience
freedom
and acceptance in their own
neighborhood.
The calling often times seems difficult
And the pay seems small
But the reward will be great at the end
of it all.