EPI DSPs Share Their COVID-19 Story Through StoryCorps

posted on Tuesday, September 1, 2026

More than five years after COVID-19 changed our world, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) providers like EPI still carry the lessons and memories of that time. While the pandemic brought uncertainty, heartbreak, and fear, it also revealed something extraordinary: the commitment of Direct Support Professionals who continued providing essential support that allowed people to remain safely in their homes and communities when it was needed most.

This summer, EPI was contacted by StoryCorps, the nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of everyday Americans. As part of a partnership with the Library of Congress documenting the experiences of frontline and essential workers during COVID-19, StoryCorps invited EPI Direct Support Professionals Kimberly Bumgardner Bergman and Danielle Knavel to share their experiences.

Their conversation highlights not only the challenges of the pandemic, but also the compassion, resilience, and dedication that define direct support work every day.

Hear their story in their own words by listening to the full StoryCorps interview by clicking here.

Below are a few of the moments and lessons that stood out most from their conversation.

Their Story

Like so many others, Kimberly and Danielle remember life before COVID-19 as predictable and routine.

Days were filled with the familiar routines of supporting people in their homes and communities, helping them maintain their health, independence, and quality of life. Kimberly and Danielle never imagined how quickly that sense of normalcy could disappear.

Then on the day everything seemed to change, Danielle remembers hearing a news alert while traveling out of state announcing the pandemic. Unsure what it would truly mean, she immediately started searching for answers.

Kimberly found herself glued to the news, watching case counts and death tolls rise day by day.

"It was mass confusion and very scary," Kimberly recalled.

For many Direct Support Professionals, the fear wasn't just about their own health. The people they supported were among the most vulnerable, and every new headline felt a little closer to home.

As communities shut down and uncertainty spread, DSPs continued showing up. New responsibilities appeared almost overnight. Staff monitored temperatures, followed evolving safety protocols, and learned to work in layers of masks, gowns, goggles, and face shields. Danielle remembers carrying a letter identifying her as an essential worker while businesses and public spaces remained closed.

Their dedication allowed many individuals to safely remain in their homes, avoiding more restrictive settings during a time when healthcare systems were under enormous strain.

"It felt like walking into an emergency room," Danielle shared.

Yet through it all, the mission remained the same: helping people feel safe, supported, and connected in a world that suddenly felt anything but.

One of the most powerful parts of Kimberly and Danielle's StoryCorps conversation centers on a moment that would define Kimberly's pandemic experience.

COVID-19 had claimed the life of one of the individuals she supported, someone she had known for years. Three of his housemates were now positive as well, and EPI was working through how to safely provide care while limiting further exposure.

Kimberly's response was simple. "Put me in," she told her leadership team.

For two weeks, Kimberly lived alongside the three men, caring for them around the clock while separated from her own family. The men were not only battling COVID-19, they were grieving the loss of a longtime friend and housemate.

She moved from room to room throughout the day, offering reassurance, answering questions, and helping each person feel a little less alone.

Looking back, Kimberly remembers finding brief moments of peace on a makeshift swing in the backyard before returning inside to care for the men. Through it all, she never contracted COVID herself.

Lessons That Still Matter
As Kimberly and Danielle reflected on those years, neither focused on their own sacrifices. Instead, they spoke about the resilience of the people they supported and the dedication of their coworkers.

The pandemic taught them the importance of staying calm during uncertainty, leading by example, and appreciating the people around us. It also revealed strengths many didn't know they had, including newfound independence among individuals who learned new skills and took on more responsibility for their own care.

Most of all, they hope people remember that Direct Support Professionals and Home and Community Based Services are essential to helping people live safely, independently, and with dignity in the communities they call home.

Their StoryCorps interview is more than a conversation about COVID-19. It's a reminder of the compassion, courage, and commitment that define direct support work and the critical role Home and Community Based Services play, not just during a crisis, but every day. When people needed support most, DSPs showed up, ensuring individuals could remain safe, connected, and cared for in the communities they call home.