MEET LINDA

If you asked Linda Hipsher where she thought she’d be five years ago, the answer wouldn’t have been with Easterseals Midwest. Five years ago, Linda was an accountant going to school to get her Master’s in Secondary Education. During her time in school, she was trying to stay afloat, and a friend suggested she begin working as a Direct Support Professional with Easterseals Midwest.

“I was just trying to survive while in school. [Being a DSP] was something I was doing to hold me over when maybe it was something I was looking for all along.”

Linda fell in love with the work and continued doing it for three years, all while continuing her education and moving closer to a career in teaching.

“I always say you find things you’re not looking for when you’re looking for something else. I was subbing in schools a lot, but I went to work in a house and I was working with three ladies and I loved it. I loved the DSP aspect, I loved helping them with their daily lives – helping them be better. It was finally one day I realized, this is what I wanted to do.”

In 2018, Linda made the decision to make Direct Support Care her career and moved into a managerial position with the organization. She hasn’t looked back since.

“I worked for corporations for a long time. I saw where the money went, but here it’s about the ‘why.’ There’s always a bottom line. Here the bottom line is we’re serving people who need to be served. I think this is the first time I’ve worked for a company I believe in.”

Now, Linda passes her knowledge onto other staff members, but still takes plenty of time to get into the homes and out in the community to interact with the people she’s serving.

“You have this eight-hour shift to make somebody’s day great. Even if you’re having a bad day, check that at the door. Your attitude and approach can change a person, you can impact a person. I can change a person’s whole attitude with just the smile on my face. I think it’s rewarding for them, but it’s rewarding for me. I believe in it. That’s the big thing – I believe in what we do.”