We recently connected with Casey LaMore and have shared our conversation below.

Casey , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you recount a time when the advice you provided to a client was really spot on? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

The best advice I’ve ever given to someone I support isn’t about what service to use or what program to join — it’s to slow down and really listen to their own voice. So often, people with developmental disabilities are surrounded by professionals telling them what they “should” do. My role as a Support Broker isn’t just to connect them to resources, but to help them uncover what truly matters to them — what brings them joy, independence, and a sense of belonging.

One person I worked with had always dreamed of living on their own, but for years, they’d been told it wasn’t realistic. Together, we took a step back and broke that big dream into smaller, attainable goals — finding accessible housing, securing the right supports, and building daily living skills. We faced plenty of obstacles: long waiting lists, limited funding, and the fear of change that comes with such a big life shift. But by listening, planning, and bringing the right people to the table, we made it happen. The day they moved into their own apartment — smiling ear to ear, decorating the space exactly how they wanted — was a powerful reminder that independence looks different for everyone, and that with the right support, it is possible.

That experience reminded me that success isn’t just helping someone access what they need; it’s helping them define what “a good life” means on their own terms, and then building the path to it with the right people beside them.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I work as a Support Broker for Refinement Principle, helping individuals with developmental disabilities design and live the life they truly choose. My journey into this field began with a passion for advocacy and inclusion — I’ve always believed that everyone deserves not only support, but also choice in how they live, work, and connect with their community. Over time, I saw how complex and overwhelming the system of public health services, private care, and non-profit programs can be, and I wanted to help people navigate it in a way that honors their voice and their dreams.

As a Support Broker, I partner with individuals and their families to identify their goals, assemble the right care teams, and coordinate services that reflect their unique needs and priorities. That might mean helping someone find an independent living situation, connecting them with community engagement opportunities, or redesigning support plans so they have more autonomy in daily life. Each person’s plan looks different — and that’s exactly how it should be.

What sets my work apart is the emphasis on listening first. Before we talk about services, we talk about what “a good life” means to them. Once that foundation is clear, everything else — the supports, the logistics, the partnerships — naturally aligns around it. I don’t see my role as simply managing services; I see it as helping people discover their own strengths and use them to shape their life, their way.

I’m most proud of the moments when someone I support reaches a milestone that once felt out of reach — getting the keys to their own apartment, landing a job they love, or feeling truly connected to their community. Those moments remind me why I do this work: because every person, regardless of ability, deserves to feel empowered, respected, and genuinely heard.

For anyone learning about me or my work for the first time, I want them to know that this isn’t just a profession — it’s a partnership built on trust, advocacy, and celebrating individuality. My goal is always to walk alongside the people I support as they define, pursue, and live their version of happiness.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was believing in the limitations that others placed on me — and, by extension, on people with disabilities in general. From a young age, we’re often taught to operate within systems that define what’s “possible” or “appropriate,” especially in the world of disability services. Those systems — while often well-intentioned — can quietly teach us to stay in boxes that were never ours to begin with.

For me, unlearning those expectations meant realizing that I didn’t have to fit neatly into anyone else’s idea of who I should be, how I should work, or what I could achieve. It took time, reflection, and support to see that the only limits that truly exist are the ones we accept as our own. That process of reclaiming my sense of agency — of defining my story for myself — completely changed how I approach my work.

Once I understood that growth comes from challenging limits rather than accepting them, I could help others do the same. Now, when I support individuals with developmental disabilities, I focus on helping them see beyond the systems and labels that have shaped their experiences. We talk about who they are, what they want, and how they can build the life they’ve always envisioned — not just the one they’ve been told is within reach.

That shift, both personally and professionally, taught me that empowerment begins the moment someone starts to believe their story is theirs to write — and I’ve made it my life’s work to help people discover that for themselves.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, I would choose this profession again — even knowing how challenging it can be. I won’t pretend it’s an easy space to work or live in. There are days when the weight of bureaucracy, the limits of funding, and the emotional toll of seeing people struggle make me wonder what it might be like to have a lighter, more carefree career. Something fun, with quick wins and fewer barriers.

But then I think about the incredible moments I’ve witnessed — the person who finally moves into their own home after years of being told they couldn’t, the individual who reconnects with their community, or the quiet pride that comes when someone takes charge of their own life. Those moments make the hard days worth it. There’s nothing more meaningful than being a part of someone’s journey toward independence and self-determination.

The hardest part, honestly, is knowing that not everyone has access to support brokering services or the kind of individualized guidance that can make such a difference. I wish I could reach everyone who needs that encouragement and advocacy. Still, being able to walk beside even a few people as they overcome barriers and build a life they’re proud of is something I would never trade. This work may be challenging, but it’s also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.therefinementprinciple.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clamore01/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RPCoachCasey
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-lamore-2134991a/