Gail True of Turner, a direct support professional at John F. Murphy Homes, visited Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts with Tommy, someone she provides support to on the job. A longtime scoutmaster and Scout leader, True developed a workshop for children on how to focus on others’ abilities rather than their disabilities. Submitted photo

Since 2010, Gail True has served as a scoutmaster and leader for both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America in western Maine. As a volunteer, she saw the need to teach children how to treat others who have disabilities. Too often, she says, she saw children treating others based on their disabilities only and not recognizing they have the same feelings and needs for friendship, respect and kindness as others do.

With her career as a direct support professional at John F. Murphy Homes, and her passion for working with kids, True conceived and created a workshop called Creating Ability Awareness and Respect for Everyone, aimed at teaching children to acknowledge and respect others as people first, with a focus on their abilities rather than their disabilities.

True moved to Peru, Maine in 1995 from Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where she was born and raised. Before the move, she worked in retail management and her “sole purpose was to make as much money” as she could for the company she worked for. Still, her friends in Maine who worked at a group home encouraged her to switch “to a job with purpose,” which was how she started her career in 1997 as a direct support professional.

True recently moved to Turner where she lives with her husband and two adult children.

Tell us about the Creating Ability Awareness and Respect for Everyone workshop and why you created it. The … workshop began about 10 years ago. There is a badge for Girl Scouts called Good Turn Daily that was created with Goodwill Industries that touched upon disability awareness. Working with people with intellectual disabilities and autism, I had a passion to teach kids about treating those with differing abilities as people first, with the same feelings and wanting to be friends just like them. I used a variety of online resources to create the workshop. The CAARE workshop teaches people-first language to kids so they respect others as a person first and NOT only just what they cannot do. The focus is on abilities.

Please give us some tips and ideas for how best to speak and interact with people with disabilities. The best way to teach children (up through to high school) is to use hands-on activities and games to gain empathy (not sympathy) and understanding of the struggles and challenges others with physical disabilities encounter every day. The CAARE workshop includes Sign Language, Braille instruction, wheelchair and crutches activities, one-handed activities, blindfolded obstacle course, autism simulation, many learning differently activities, and hearing-impaired activities.

In the last five years, I have also included a segment on invisible disabilities such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, diabetes and others. A group of older Girl Scouts anonymously wrote letters about their own disability and the supports they need from others. I am willing to share my CAARE workshop agenda and activities instructions to any after-school program or teachers that would like the information.

Gail True of Turner stands with her adult children, Lily and Jacob. Both of her children were involved in Scouting and her volunteer work. Submitted photo

You’re a direct support professional at John F. Murphy Homes and you care for people’s physical and emotional needs daily. What personality characteristics do direct support professionals need the most to have successful relationships with the people they care for? In my job as a direct support professional, you need to be a caring individual with a lot of patience. Your job will be to teach individuals life skills, pass medications and bring them to activities they like to do in order to give them the best life possible. All the training you need is provided by the company.

You’re also a deacon at the Mexico Congregational Church. What does being a deacon involve and how large and active is the congregation in Mexico? The Mexico Congregational Church is a small church, so everyone who attends helps on the various committees. I am a deacon for three years then have one year off, then three years again. I am currently on my year off. As a deacon, you help with supporting the pastor with Sunday services by greeting guests, taking the collections, assisting with monthly communion, and covering for the pastor’s vacations.

Also, you’re a wife and mother. How do you fit those roles in with your work career and all your volunteer work? Is your family involved in any of your volunteer activities? As a mom of children Jacob and Lily (both now in their early 20s), I chose to work third shift as my children were growing up so I could maximize my time with them. I work eight nights in a row then have six days off. I would sleep when they were in school so I could be present for all their sports, theater and Scouting activities. Also working third shift I would use my down time at work to prepare for Scout meetings and volunteer work. In Scouting, volunteering and service to others is very important, so both my children were involved with my volunteer work.