Happy Developmental Disabilities Professional Day

Logo for Developmental Disabilities Professionals Day

Today is July 15th and besides being the last day for 2020 to file your federal income taxes, today is also Developmental Disabilities Professional Day.  Bet you did not know that, did you?  Started by the NAQ (National Association of QIDP), the day is meant to recognize professionals working in the field and making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities. 

The day is more than just a "QIDP" day though.  This day is meant to recognize all professionals in the field.  We are talking about the psychologist, psychiatrist, nurses, directors, case managers, social workers, service coordinators, surveyors, and so many more.  There are titles from QDDP to QIDP to Medicaid Worker to Service workers all given to people working with people.   The impact these professionals make is extraordinary. 

Let's face it, we each have responsibilities.  Often the direct care staff implements the plans written by the professionals.  It may be a behavior plan to help improve social skills, or it could be a medication plan to maintain health and well being, or any other dozens of plans.  These plans come from professionals.  Though planning, observations, input from individuals, family, friends, and others, the Developmental Disabilities Professional from the Medical Doctor to the Case Manager develop plans with profound impacts on the lives of people.  The responsibility is great.  A medical procedure or medication today could extend a person's life for years.  A plan today to teach someone how to hold a job, move into the community, and even manage money could one day made the difference between dependence and independence. 

Developmental Disability Professionals put in long hours and years of work.  They often give up family time, stop eating at restaurants, leave a movie,  ballgame, or concert early all because the call comes to rise to a professional level, and serve.  Sadly, some of those professionals will never see the impact their work has accomplished.  Through changing jobs, moving people, changing programs, and simply years, what is taught or worked toward today, may not be realized until long after the professional has left the scene. 

Maybe you will never know the change you have affected, or maybe you will.  Maybe one day after your time here is finished, you will arrive in the next world.  You may be greeted by a long line of people you do not recognize, but yet something is familiar about them.  They will no longer have developmental disabilities.  They will no longer be confined to wheelchairs, braces, or other supports.  They will no longer have a diagnosis, a condition, or a problem of some other kind.   Maybe you will meet these people in that next life, and they will tell you the stories of how your work changed their lives in this world.  These will be the people free of disabilities because God will have finished the work you started here.  You are important and there can be no higher calling than to serve people.