Posted on June 5, 2025
She wishes everyone could “know what we know” about people with disabilities.
With her helpful nature and love of animals, people were always telling Megan McLaren that she should pursue a career in education or veterinary medicine.
Three years ago, while working in retail management, she knew she was ready for a change when suddenly a “more meaningful job” at Penn-Mar Human Services literally fell into her lap.
Megan started working part-time as a residential Direct Support Professional (DSP) at a community home, then one-to-one, and eventually transitioned to the Day Program at Penn-Mar Central where she is energized by the busy and diverse pace working with people of all different ages, personalities and disabilities.
“I was initially assigned to a group of 12 people, but I go where I am needed,” said Megan. “I wear many hats!”
Her Day Program activities include exploring what the local community has to offer, one-to-one support when needed, and volunteer projects. At the Maryland Line Day Program facility, her group can be found playing sports in the gym or Hangman on the whiteboard, but their favorite activity is arts and crafts.
“They love it and often help me research our projects,” she said. “I am not super artistic, but I enjoy seeing them happy and enthusiastic. Some of the people I support have a hard time showing emotion, so it’s wonderful when our activities bring a smile to their faces. The best part is they don’t have ‘filters’ so I really get to know their unique personalities.”
Megan truly cares about her group and is ready to adapt to whatever their needs are. “I see and recognize who they are and the challenges they are dealing with. It really comes down to me loving what I do, and they know it. That’s what helps me to develop trusting relationships with them.”
She wishes everyone could get to know people with disabilities the way she has. “Unfortunately, much of the outside world doesn’t know what we know about them,” she says. “They are human beings with their own incredible, unique personalities just like everyone.”
Megan wants to learn even more about the field and the person-centered supports that will help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) better engage in their communities. She is currently in Tier II of the Career Ladders development and credentialing program for DSPs. “I was eager to enhance my learning and combined with the financial incentives the program offers I readily said, ‘Sign me up!’”
Megan’s passion for the job earned her the Penn-Mar Leaders in Our Midst Award which “recognizes team members who have demonstrated great leadership through their consistent, reliable and dependable work every day. Team members that receive this award create a positive, collaborative environment that allows the people they support and their colleagues to be their best. Winners of this award display Penn-Mar’s Core Values and through their actions, live out Penn-Mar’s mission each day.”
Megan was humbled and surprised by the award. “I’m not someone who likes the spotlight,” she acknowledged. “But I am grateful and thankful that Penn-Mar appreciates and sees the work that I am doing. Almost daily a manager or team member compliments my work. It helps that everyone is so supportive.”
During her Career Ladders training, Megan was intrigued by the potential of customized employment programs that match people with disabilities to meaningful jobs. “It seemed right up my alley and is something I would like to be involved with in the future,” she said.
But for now, Megan feels lucky to have found her calling as a DSP. “It turned out to be a perfect fit for me!”