'Direct support' staff need better pay

I am 48 years old and benefit from services provided to me by Ray Graham Association. I live in a home in Woodridge that I share with five friends and during the day I attend a Community Learning Center in Burr Ridge.

I also serve on the board of directors at Ray Graham, I lead an advocacy group, and I teach new staff about communications during our new employee orientation.

I am one of thousands of people in Illinois that rely on Direct Support Professionals every day of my life. Their jobs are rewarding, but also physically and mentally challenging. DSPs make sure that people like me have the right diet, get bathed and dressed every day. They also make sure people take their medication.

Some people with disabilities can do lots of things for themselves, but many need total care. I have seen DSPs come and go. Even though the work is demanding, they like it, but many of them end up having to work two jobs to make ends meet. Eventually, they leave for a higher paying job and we have to start all over meeting and training new staff. Sometimes, because we don't have enough staff, we can't go out to the store or to volunteer at some places we like to help out at. Community agencies that support people with disabilities are having a staffing crisis.

I would like to see House Bill 5931 and Senate Bill 2952 passed so that DSPs can be paid more. The average wage right now is only $9.35 an hour. They deserve more for all the work they do. I want legislators to vote yes on these bills. Thousands of people like me in Illinois are counting on them to do the right thing.

Cami Smith

Woodridge