Effective Relationships with Teams

My Team, My Family

Author

BJ Stasio is a self-advocate in New York State. BJ can be reached at maze1834@gmail.com. Visit BJ’s website at: bjstasio.com .

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Two men are smiling at the camera in an indoor setting with festive lights in the background. The man on the left, with a light skin tone, is wearing glasses, a purple shirt, and is seated in a mobility device. The man on the right, also with a light skin tone, is standing and wearing a gray hoodie with a logo that reads 'LePaul.' The environment appears spacious with visible tables and chairs in the background.

Bj Stasio and DSP Patrick

When I was asked to write this article, it caused me to reflect on what my direct support team means to me. Frankly, teamwork for me becomes a feeling of family. I can live a self-determined life because of all the support I have received from my team of direct support professionals (DSPs). I work as an advocate for people with disabilities at the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Thanks to the efforts of my team, I can advocate for others as my team assists me in preparing to talk with elected officials. It becomes a symbiotic relationship. I believe that we can improve the system for everyone, DSPs included. But without the work of direct support professionals, I cannot get to work.

A turning point for me was getting involved with the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS). As a person with a disability, I always knew there were things wrong with the world around me—things like accessing what I needed to have as normal a life as possible. I had a few strikes against me before I got connected with SANYS. DSPs helped me a lot, but my angry attitude towards life was my motivation to advocate. SANYS helped me refine my message and discover my path in life. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the leaders of SANYS and my DSP team, who helped connect me to the SANYS meetings. Their support is an important part of my journey.

I need to remember that the system I work for is not always ready for the big picture I see. I need to have conversations and advocate with people who can help me, and others realize our vision.

My expectations of what I do on a given day can be too lofty. I need to remember that the system I work for is not always ready for the big picture I see. I need to have conversations and advocate with people who can help me, and others realize our vision. My DSP team supports me as I engage in more of these conversations to make life better for the people I know and support. I need to do many of these things in person—speaking with representatives, lobbyists, agency administrators, and so on. My team is vital for this.

A man and a woman are sitting next to each other in an office-like setting. The man, with a light skin tone, glasses, and a beard, is wearing a green shirt with text that reads 'For Assembly McMahon' and is seated in a mobility device. The woman, also with a light skin tone, has long blonde hair and is wearing a dark gray knitted sweater. Behind them, there is an American flag, a framed picture on the wall, and a wooden table with chairs.

BJ Stasio and Assemblyperson, Karen McMahon

Don't get me wrong: Advocacy is my calling. There are fun times, too, like riding on an accessible Ferris wheel and getting tattoos to continue my story through my body art. My team of DSPs has assisted me in many more things.

This past year has truly been a challenge for me as an advocate. I’m in a season of transition, and those who know me understand that patience is not my strong suit. I sometimes need to modify how I do things and prioritize what is important, but it becomes much easier with my team’s support.

I am honored to write this article to thank all the direct support professionals who have come into my life, even if only for a season. Others have stayed longer and seen me evolve into the person I have become. All the direct support staff who have been in my life will always be part of Team Stasio. They have each left a lasting impact on my life, and there aren't enough words to describe how much DSPs mean to me. You will all be family forever.

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