For 31 years, Sandra Rickard has been a familiar face at Monarch Healthcare, supporting people in a variety of roles and settings while building relationships that have lasted for decades.
Over the course of her career, Sandra has worked in group homes and day programs, served as a team lead and stepped in wherever she was needed. Along the way, Monarch Healthcare also gave her the flexibility to adapt her work to different seasons of life, allowing her to continue doing meaningful work while making time for her son, grandchild and mother.
As Monarch Healthcare celebrates Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week, Sandra reflects on the experiences, relationships and moments that have made three decades of service so rewarding.
Finding Her Calling
Sandra’s path to becoming a DSP began in high school when she was first introduced to individuals with disabilities through a class.
“I first got introduced to people with challenges during high school in a health occupations class” she said. “I knew by working at [an intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities] that this was something I wanted to do.”
After trying several different career paths, Sandra found her way to Monarch after a conversation with her sister, who was already employed by the organization. The reason she’s stayed for more than three decades is simple.
“It’s kept me here because this is what I enjoy,” Sandra said. “No day is the same. Working as a DSP, you’re going to face different things each day. Some days are more challenging, and some days are just smooth sailing.”
Building Relationships That Matter
At Studio 651, Sandra helps people build social skills and strengthen daily living skills, from learning personal information like addresses to developing skills that promote greater independence. But for Sandra, supporting someone starts with getting to know them.
“When you work with a person day in and day out, you get to know their body language, what they want to do, what they enjoy and what they dislike,” she said. “Then you can build a schedule around those things.”
Each morning brings one of her favorite parts of the day.
“I enjoy when I get here in the morning and everybody comes in for the day,” Sandra said. “Everybody’s greeting you, somebody wants to tell you a little bit about what they did last night, what they ate or what they watched.”
Those daily conversations help build the trust that is at the heart of effective support.
“It’s that relationship that you have to build, a relationship of trust,” she said. “Once you establish that, you accomplish a lot.”
Celebrating Every Achievement
Sandra believes one of the most important qualities a DSP can have is patience.
“I think first of all, you’ve got to have a heart for helping someone,” she said. “And you’ve got to have that patience sometimes to wait and see results.”
Over the years, she has learned that progress doesn’t always happen quickly. Sometimes it takes months or even years of practice before a skill finally clicks.
“That’s the joy of seeing results and people’s achievements,” Sandra said. “That makes all the difference in the world.”
One memory in particular has stayed with her throughout her career. Sandra recalls supporting a young woman with cerebral palsy who was unable to stand on her own. After receiving a stander, staff carefully helped her use the equipment for the first time. When she was finally able to experience standing upright, her reaction was unforgettable.
“The expression she gave was breathtaking,” Sandra said. “She was so excited that she was actually standing up. I will never forget that look of joy and excitement when she realized she was standing upright.”
Learning From One Another
While DSPs are often seen as teachers, Sandra says the relationship goes both ways.
“If you work with them long enough, you’ll find out that not only are you training and teaching them some things, they are actually teaching their DSPs some things,” she said.
Over the years, the people she supports have taught her how to approach situations differently, how to be more observant and how to better understand each person’s unique needs.
“It is an even exchange sometimes,” Sandra said. “You learn from them, and they learn from you.”
A Smile Every Day
Ask Sandra what keeps her smiling after 31 years, and her answer comes quickly.
“Anybody that knows me, knows I’m smiling all day,” she said.
But the real source of that joy is the people she supports.
“The best part of my job is the individuals I support,” Sandra said. “Somebody is going to put a smile on your face, even if you had a struggling day.”
In Her Supervisor’s Words
Sandra’s dedication has left a lasting impression not only on the people she supports but also on her coworkers.
Site Manager Gloria Hunder has worked alongside Sandra for 30 years and says her dependability and positive attitude make her an invaluable member of the team.
“I’ve known Sandra for 30 years,” Gloria said. “Sandra’s a team player. We can depend on her, and we know that she will do what she needs to do to make us successful.”
Their relationship extends beyond the workplace as well.
“Sandra’s like a sister to me,” Gloria said. “We even do stuff together outside of work.”
When asked what she enjoys most about working with Sandra, Gloria doesn’t hesitate.
“Her laugh,” she said. “Sandra has a story about anything that we talk about. She’s fun. She’s lighthearted. She’s a good employee.”
After 31 years at Monarch Healthcare, Sandra continues to make a difference through the patience, trust and genuine care she brings to each person she supports. As we celebrate Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, we thank Sandra and all DSPs for the compassion, dedication and support they provide every day.
Inspired by stories like Sandra’s? A career as a Direct Support Professional offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, help individuals achieve their goals and make a difference every day. To learn more about becoming part of the Monarch team, visit our careers page and explore current opportunities.