Over the next several weeks, ARRM will feature each of its outstanding 2019 ARRM Cares Award winners. Congratulations to all of the nearly 100 direct support professionals nominated for this award across the state.
In the world of disability services, we often think of those who were born with disabilities, or those who had a tragic accident, as the people who access specialized support to live their best lives. But one of this year's ARRM Cares Award winners serves a population of people who became disabled while serving our country in the military.
Matt Tebbutt is a community support specialist with Dungarvin Minnesota. He works in their partnership with the Wounded Warrior Independence Project, supporting wounded veterans who experienced traumatic brain injuries during their military service. Their lives forever changed, Matt works with individuals and their families to build a new approach to their daily tasks, activities, goals and dreams to promote a positive and fulfilling life after service.
Navigating a Huge Life Change
Learning one's abilities will be permanently changed is a massive curveball for that person and their loved ones. Pre-injury, the veterans Matt works with were incredibly mentally, physically, and socially driven people. Just like others whose lives are impacted by such a change, those attributes are still there. What changes post-injury is how to live out those virtues, which is where Matt comes in.
"My individuals are highly motivated," says Tebbutt. "They are the pilots, I'm just the navigator."
Adapting to Achieve Goals and Dreams
He's quite the navigator! Matt's support has empowered dozens of veterans across Minnesota to thrive in whatever endeavors they now seek. His work has included:
- Working with a veteran to obtain a lawyer and secure the additional VA benefits they were due
- Encouraging and assisting a veteran to become a writer and share their life-story, getting published in a hometown publication
- Connecting people to adaptive recreation and travel programs so they can stay active in their passions
- Assisting individuals and families to adapt to new ways of doing things, like schedule management, and providing back-up support when needed
Conveying Love and Support at All Times
The support for each veteran and family looks different, and one of the things that sets Matt apart as a direct support professional is the way in which he adapts his role, regardless of who he works with.
This is no truer than with Keegan and his family. Keegan suffered a traumatic brain injury which left him in need of 24/7 care and with several intensive medical needs. Matt is there to support Keegan's family as much as Keegan himself, assisting with travel to appointments, hospital stays, home care, advocacy, and sometimes, just to be a companion. He is a trust member of a very tightknit family, and, a critical part of creating a full family life.
"One of the big reasons we brought Keegan home was so he could feel love at all times, and not just people showing up to do a job," said Kerry Adelmann, Keegan's mother. "That's what sets Matt apart, is that he conveys that love, and I know that Keegan can feel it, too."
Matt Tebbutt is one of six ARRM Cares Award winners for 2019, recognizing the top Direct Support Professionals in Minnesota of of 20,000 eligible each year. Award winners are selected via a nomination process and a blind review by more than 100 leaders of ARRM membership organizations.
Learn more about all the 2019 ARRM Cares Award winners at www.arrm.org/arrm-cares.
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