I graduated my PSW program through Conestoga College in 2016. After graduation I became employed at my placement in a long-term care home for four years. I took a year off when the pandemic hit due to medical reasons, then became employed at a retirement home for a year and a half. I then transitioned in 2023 becoming employed at KW Habilitation working for adults with developmental disabilities. My current position is a day programmer, it is my responsibility to plan community outings for the people I support and to support them during their outings.

My passions include event planning, skill building and personal development. Being in this role I have been able to use person supported IP goals and plan outings and events in the community to help them achieve their goals. My goal in the future will be to broaden my scope of practice by finishing the apprenticeship program and bridging to get my diploma. Working in this field I value independence autonomy, choice, and respect.

What brought me to the field was attending the multimedia design program. After a few short months I realized it wasn’t the program for me and moved back home to Waterloo. My sister’s high school best friend had previously taken the PSW program and recommended it to me as I am a people person. I took her advice applied for the program and nine years later I’m still in the field of healthcare. What’s kept me in this field is my passion for helping others and making a positive impact on their lives.

Course Outline

2025-2026

1.    Situation – What was the situation you were in?

Situation I was in recently was with a person I support dollar store picking up items for their own personal needs. Once we made it to the check-out counter the worker spoke directly to me rather than their actual customer.

2.    Task – What was the task that had to be done?

When we approached the counter, I took a step back to let the person I was supporting make their purchase. The supported person placed their items on the counter, pulled out their wallet and waited for the total. When the cashier was done scanning their order, they looked at me and asked if a bag was needed, I responded by saying that it was up to the person making the purchase and turned to my supported person, directing it to them and they stated “no”. The cashier stated the total and again looked directly at me, I turned to the person I was supporting and encouraged them to pay on their own, to which they pulled their bill from their wallet, placed it on the counter and waited palm up for their change. When finished, I assisted carrying items out of the store as per supported person’s request.            

3.    Result – What was the result of the situation and your actions?

Result from the situation was that the person supported was encouraged to pay on their own and make their own decisions while in the store. After the purchase was made, I spoke with my support person and asked them how the interaction made them feel. They stated they didn’t mind and that it happened all the time while they were shopping with a staff.

4.    Action – What action or steps did you take?

Once we were back in the car, I asked my support person if it would be alright if we brainstormed some ideas to provide them with as much independence while in the store. I provided choices by asking if they would prefer if I stayed in the car while they went and purchased or join them. They said they preferred the company and requested I continue to go in with them. We discussed scenarios where this might happen and how the supported person would like me to react, they said they would prefer if I continued to take a step back and wait at the door during purchase to encourage the cashier to focus on them instead of me.  

1.     Situation – What was the situation you were in?

I recently started a new position through my agency as a full-time DSP. Coming into this position as a former day programmer I have been met with a lot of new struggles and challenges. Being a new primary to a resident I have been put in the situation to contact their family regarding health updates. For back story, in the past their family has longer allowed on property and has no contact other than being the medical primary and next of kin for the person I support. Every email that is sent between myself and this parent must also include my manager and Director as abuse allegations have come from the family in the past against the agency regarding keeping her adult child away from her.

2.    .Task – What was the task that had to be done?

I said on an email when I was first hired as an introductory email of who I am my past education past work experience and overall, who I am as a person, so the family is able to get to know me as an individual rather than see me as solely another caretaker. My approach to this email to humanise myself was written in a warm, kind, friendly and professional tone, The family was updated on health matters and recent doctor visits as well as adding additional information to regarding upcoming appointments. I did my best to keep this introductory email very friendly, nonjudgmental, and respectful. I also noted in the email that I would encourage the person supported to consider having a personal relationship with their family on their own terms. I also explained that since they are an adult they have the choice to choose if they want to engage in relationships and that I would respect and support their decision regardless of the outcome.

3.    Result – What was the result of the situation and your actions?

The family responded in a very positive way to the email, later I was able to speak over the phone with the family without conflict. I expressed how frustrating it would be to be in their position wanting a stronger relationship with their child even though their child is an adult and had the ability to choose what relationships they wanted to have. I also expressed empathy to how they were feeling and expressed condolences for the situation. By the end of our interaction the family ended it on a positive note, excited to get to know me and hopeful for the future,

4.    Action – What action or steps did you take?

I spoke with my primary about the interactions I had with her family and with your permission I read out the email to them of what their response was and what I had written back. I also informed my primary of the conversation I had over the phone and what was discussed. Express to my primary that I would not be forcing them to engage with their family and would support them if they chose to communicate with them on their terms. I also emailed my manager and Director of the conversation I had with the family and provided in great detail through an email to my bosses.