Scott Marracino Aug 19, 2026
There is a lady I like to meet every few weeks, often for lunch. Her name is Kaila. It hasn’t been going on for that long, but it’s really turned into something.
What makes Kaila so special? For one thing, her friendliness. When she meets you, she wants to know all about you. Where you work. If you have any pets. When your birthday is. Maybe even when your pet’s birthday is. Kaila first bonded with me over our appreciation for giving people cards for special occasions. Now, she calls me weekly to ask what I’m up to.
Kaila’s inquisitiveness isn’t just reserved for people. She has a natural curiosity about the world around her. When we’re out, she’s constantly asking me what certain objects are for. When I explain it to her, she often responds, “That’s what that is?” My reply is “Yes.”
Kaila loves hot food. Whenever we go out, I know she’ll order the spiciest meal on the menu. Buffalo chicken isn’t enough for Kaila. The seasoned meat has to be further drenched in Buffalo sauce from a bottle and with banana peppers on top. There absolutely will be salt and vinegar chips as a side dish. She has a unique palate.
Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to food, Kaila isn’t a one-trick pony. She enjoys her pizza. However, the topping must be mushrooms.
Speaking of ponies, Kaila loves horseback riding. Every summer, she’s excited to tell me about getting back in the saddle.
Kaila’s mother approves of me too. We’ve become friends. Like Kaila, she loves mushrooms. I’ve even traveled with Kaila to visit her, though Kaila and I are just friends.
Kaila has a developmental disability and lives in a group home run by the state. She needs lots of support for daily living. When I visit Kaila, I’m kind of like the cool uncle who comes by to treat her to lunch and other special trips out. I’m happy to make whatever positive contribution I can to Kaila’s life.
The real tough job is done by the people who work to ensure Kaila’s needs are met daily. And from what I’ve been told, it used to be much harder. Kaila struggled for years with aggressive and other troublesome behaviors. Those have gone away for the most part, in no small part to the structure and guidance that has occurred in Kaila’s home since she arrived some years ago. She has responded well to the staff, because she can see how much they care about her. And now she can more easily display the wonderful qualities that were in her all along.
There are countless examples of people like Kaila out there. People who residing in state or agency-run homes and could use some extra help. They deserve the chance to have as fulfilled a life as they possibly can. For Kaila, it means having her spicy food, riding her horses and getting to know other people.
For other people in a similar situation to Kaila, it could look like something totally different. However it looks, the end game is life fulfillment, which would be impossible without the staff working with them, day to day. These people are often referred to as Direct Support Professionals. Every September, usually the week after Labor Day, a week is set aside to honor them. However, they deserve our respect every day.
They certainly have mine.