Employment Highlights

Lynn Brandt
Nominated by: Robin Westman

The best of the best is how most describe Lynn Brandt. Lynn has been a DSP for approximately 30 years, and for 26 of those years she has supported a gentleman by the name of Daniel Kaiser. Along with his family, Lynn has been a rock for Daniel and has played a vital role in helping him become the loving, vibrant and intelligent young man he is today. Daniel came to Home for Creative Living when he was only five-years-old. When he came he was considered “medically fragile” and Lynn was reluctant to become his “one to one” since another little boy she had just supported passed away. She didn’t think she could take losing another child. She was asked by her supervisor to just meet Daniel. After meeting him and working only a few days with him, she couldn’t say no. When Daniel came she was told he would never be able to sit up and most likely would not live very long. Due to Lynn’s devotion to Daniel, he now walks with a walker, scoots, independently transfers from his electric wheelchair to the ground, and has a happy go lucky personality that no one forgets. Daniel still has numerous medical issues, but no one would ever know that because Lynn has made it about living life to the fullest for Daniel. Lynn has brought so many new experiences to life for Daniel. When Daniel has an interest in something, Lynn’s first question is, how can I make this possible for Daniel? Many years ago and still today, Daniel became a fan of the three brothers band, Hanson. He would pretend he was the drummer while his two brothers were the singer and guitar player. At first, she found him a drum he could practice on, then he got a whole drum set, and just recently a Wii game system with the game Rock Band. She has traveled far with Daniel to make it possible for him to go to Hanson concerts. She found posters and crossed off their names and put Daniel and his brothers’ names on it. Family is Daniel’s number one priority in life and Lynn makes sure he sees them as much as possible. This may seem like an easy task, but it literally takes a van full of medical equipment for him to go anywhere overnight. You would never guess that, the way Lynn helps him stay anywhere. This past summer she helped arrange a camping trip with his two brothers. Daniel camped many nights with just him and his brothers. A dream come true. This is just a glimpse into the wonderful things Lynn Brandt has created for Daniel. The entire story lies within meeting Daniel and watching the two interact. They are truly the “poster child” and definition of what it means to have a great direct support professional on your side.