Staff Spotlight: Growing Together: Alina & Michaela

How patience and consistency are helping Alina Adelfang grow in confidence and independence

Ms. Michaela Browning became a Direct Support Professional because she wanted to do work that has a direct, positive impact on someone’s life. “I enjoy helping people become more independent, reach their goals, and feel respected and supported,” she says. She also values the chance to build meaningful relationships while learning from the people she works with. For her, even small moments, helping someone develop a new skill, make a choice, or simply have a good day, can make a real difference.

Today, that sense of purpose shows up every day in her work with Alina Adelfang, an individual Ms. Michaela describes as someone who continues to teach her as much as she supports her.

“Even small improvements are meaningful to me because I know that my patience, support, and consistency helped her get there.”

Learning to Communicate Beyond Words

Alina Adelfang has spent the past year building something that does not always show up in a progress note: confidence. Day by day, she has grown more comfortable speaking up, making choices, and taking on daily activities with a new sense of independence.

That progress has not happened alone. It has been shaped by a consistent circle of support around Alina, including her Direct Support Professional Ms. Michaela Browning, her Service Coordinator Ms. Charlene Smith, and her parents, Mr. Anders Adelfang and Ms. Osie Adelfang, all working together to help Alina thrive.

Getting to Know Alina

Like anyone, Alina communicates and responds to the world in her own way, and getting to know that took time. Ms. Michaela recalls that one of the biggest early challenges was learning Alina’s individual needs, her communication style, and what approaches worked best for her in different situations. It took patience, consistency, and good communication to build trust and help Alina feel comfortable. Over time, that understanding grew, and it became the foundation for everything that followed.

Alina’s Progress, Step by Step

Since then, Alina has made real, visible progress. She communicates her needs more clearly, participates in daily activities with more confidence, and handles more of her routine independently. “Seeing her make progress, communicate her needs, and participate more confidently has been very rewarding,” Ms. Michaela says. Just as important, Alina continues to be encouraged to do things for herself whenever possible, so that independence, not dependence, stays at the center of her support.

A Team Behind Every Step

Alina’s growth reflects the coordinated effort of everyone around her. Her parents, Mr. Anders and Ms. Osie Adelfang, remain closely involved in her life and her goals, while her Service Coordinator, Ms. Charlene Smith, helps ensure Alina’s services stay aligned with what she needs to keep moving forward. Together with Ms. Michaela’s day to day support, that circle of consistency is what has allowed Alina’s confidence to grow.

Alina’s story is still being written, one day, one choice, and one small win at a time. With a steady team behind her, that progress keeps moving forward.