Caregivers are often the unseen and overlooked part of special needs care. In this podcast episode, Annette speaks with Jessica Ronne, an author, caregiver advocate, and mom of 8, about caregiver support, her caregiver nonprofit The Lucas Project, her blog “Jess + the Mess” and her 2 books “Sunlight Burning at Midnight” and “Blended with Grit and Grace.”   Jess’ family story is one of heart break that leads to happiness. Her second child Lucas was born profoundly disabled due to a stroke in utero.  A few years later, her first husband passed away from brain cancer leaving her a widow at 33 with 4 children under 7, one profoundly disabled.  Jess had been blogging throughout all this as writing to her is a form of release. A chance comment on her blog from one of her followers lead her to her current husband – his wife had passed away from brain cancer around the same time as Jess’ husband.  They have been married now for 11 years and have a blended family of 8 children.

Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast

Episode 126: Caregivers Need Our Support with Jess Ronne

New child support guidelines recently became effective in Massachusetts on October 4, 2021. We felt it would be a good time to bring back a podcast Annette did last year with husband Mark Worthington in which both attorneys discuss divorce when you have a special needs child. While a majority of these new child support changes affect standard family law matters relating to divorce, a few will affect special needs planning. These changes mainly are regarding Social Security and how these benefits are viewed as income as related to the payor or the recipient.  We recently released a blog on these new Massachusetts child support changes which you can read here. There have also been a few other Social Security related matters recently introduced, unfortunately many are stuck in Congress. One in particular notes that Social Security rules related to benefit levels are so outdated that it forces disabled and elderly individuals into poverty.  The Social Security system needs and overhaul but they say they can’t afford it.   Make Your Voice Heard! This is the time to make your voice heard!  Talk to your policy makers, politicians – tell them what you need, what you want, tell them about your situation.  If you are not sure how to contact or find these people in your area, please reach out to us at Special Needs Companies and we will do our best to assist you with the information. In this prior episode of Parenting Impossible from 2020, Annette and her husband Mark Worthington discuss what you need to consider during the divorce process as a parent of a special needs child. Mark is Senior Counsel at Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts and a Professor of Law at Western New England University School of Law. He has also been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list every year since 2008. Divorce Brings New Challenges For Special Needs Parents Annette and Mark begin the show with a conversation about the increased number of people filing for divorce during the pandemic. The rise comes as more people have been forced to spend extended periods of time quarantined together. While divorce is a stressful process in general, it comes with an additional set of challenges for couples with special needs children. Annette begins with her advice on creating a trust for child support. While she acknowledges each situation is different, she generally believes most cases do not require one for children under the age of 18. Once the child becomes an adult, a new plan must be put in place.  The Importance of Special Needs Planning Annette and Mark also share their thoughts on the importance of planning for the future. This includes figuring out what will change once your special needs child becomes an adult, health insurance options and estate planning. The couple breaks down some of the options that are available and why it’s so important to lay them out during the divorce process. For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!    Please Leave a Podcast Review Please consider leaving a podcast review for Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast on iTunes.  More positive ratings and reviews mean more new listeners are introduced to this informational and inspirational podcast.  Look at the bottom of this page for the purple oval that says “Enjoying the podcast?  Leave an iTunes review here.”  This will take you over to the iTunes site/app where you will be able to login and leave a review.  We really appreciate it! You can also join our free Facebook group for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.

Episode 125: Things to Consider Before Filing For Divorce With A Special Needs Child with Mark Worthington (Reprise)

This week is Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week, which is a cause very dear to Annette’s heart.   Annette’s daughter Elizabeth passed away back in 2013 from mitochondrial disease. Every year, during the third week of September the mitochondrial disease community comes together to bring awareness and educate others on this rare genetic disease.  MitoAction is a nonprofit organization which started in 2005 from a New England support group.  During the awareness week, MitoAction encourages others to participate in and organize various events.  For Wednesday, which is the release day of this podcast, they are supporting “Light a Light for Mito” which is held to remember your loved ones lost to mito.  Please be sure to wear your #greenformito, join our Facebook event and share your light and loved one’s photo memory on our event page “discussion” wall.  For other Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week events, please check out MitoAction’s page here.   Mito-Mom   This week’s podcast episode features another “mito-mom” – Maria Hopfgarten.  Maria was also one of Annette’s first podcast guests back in 2019.  You can listen to that podcast episode here.  Maria is a blogger, author, President of the nonprofit Miracles for Mito, wife and mom to daughter Sarah and Jacob.  Maria just released her first book, “Letters to Jacob: Grieving the Loss of a Child”, which is based on letters she wrote to her son Jacob after he passed away from mitochondrial disease back in 2016.  Annette and Maria speak about coping with grief and how Maria’s blog about her son Jacob eventually became a book.   Letters To Jacob    Maria’s blog “Moments with Jacob” started out as a way to keep family and friends advised about Jacob and how he was doing.  Maria also realized that writing was very therapeutic for her and helped her gain a perspective when there were major decisions to be made regarding Jacob’s health.  When Jacob passed away, writing actually became a tool for her to process whatever was going on.  The blog moved from information about Jacob, into letters to Jacob about her day and how she was doing.  These letters eventually became her book “Letters to Jacob.”     Grief   Annette and Maria also discuss grief and how it changes over time.  Maria says, “it’s not like grief goes away, but grief 5 years later looks a little bit different than the week after you lose your child.”  Maria also says that each family member will deal with grief on their own path and on their own timeline.  You may be processing grief differently from your spouse or your other children.  The critical thing is to be open and let each other know you are there for them and that it is ok to talk about that family member that passed away.     Final Tips   Maria leaves us with some final tips to help work through your grief.  If you are a friend or family member, be there for each other.  Be there for support, pull up a chair and hold their hand.  Allow them to talk about what they are going through and allow them to talk about their child.  Be a great listener and a great storyteller.  Remember funny and loving stories, let them know that person is still in their heart and mind even though they are no longer here.   Maria also says there is no schedule to grief.  Grief is your own journey to take in whatever time frame you need.  Don’t be too hard on yourself.  Do what is best for you.  Find what works for you to keep your child’s memory alive.  Maybe it is writing or maybe planting a tree in the garden and watching it grow.  It is ok to create new traditions and honor old ones as well.     Reach Out to Maria   You can reach out to Maria on her blog, on Facebook, and Instagram.  You may also reach her at Miracles for Mito.  Please be sure to get yourself a copy of her new book “Letters to Jacob” as well.   For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  Please Leave a Podcast Review Please consider leaving a podcast review for Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast on iTunes.  More positive ratings and reviews mean more new listeners are introduced to this informational and inspirational podcast.  Look at the bottom of this page for the purple oval that says “Enjoying the podcast?  Leave an iTunes review here.”  This will take you over to the iTunes site/app where you will be able to login and leave a review.  We really appreciate it! You can also join our free Facebook group for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.

Episode 124: Letters To Jacob: Grieving The Loss Of A Child with Maria Hopfgarten

This week features a very special back to back, two podcast episode release as Annette speaks with two guests who were interviewed for a recent Today Show Article called “Autism Wars.” Today’s episode features Annette’s interview with Amy S.F. Lutz, an author, vice president of the National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA), and a mom to 5 children,  her oldest son Jonah having severe autism.   Amy also became so interested in the history of autism due to her son’s issues, she went back to school and is currently seeking a doctorate in the history of medicine.  Annette and Amy speak about the “Autism Wars” article, severe autism, and extreme caregiving.   Severe Autism    Severe autism looks very different from very mild forms of autism – this is why autism is noted as “Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Autism can be very mild on one end of the spectrum or very severe on the other end, with a wide range of levels in between.  A severely autistic individual will have profound intellectual disabilities, can be very aggressive and exhibit violent behavior, and are often very unstable and can potentially harm themselves as well as others.  Severely autistic individuals also usually require exceptionally trained staff and specific supports and programs due to the challenging behaviors they often have.  While individuals with mild forms of autism are often able to live somewhat typical lives on their own, those with severe autism generally need extra support and specific care for most if not all of their lives.     Autism Wars Article   Most parents of severely autistic children use a common-sense position based on their experience with their children.   Unfortunately, as the Today Show article “Autism Wars” conveyed, these parents often face criticism from some autistic adults and some that view their own autism diagnosis more as an identity rather than an illness or impairment.  Some of these autistic adults tend to label parents of severely autistic children as ableists - that these parents don’t really love their children and they are only sharing things about their child to gain attention for themselves.  Some autistic adults also feel that the parents of severely autistic children are violating their children’s rights by sharing items about them publicly on social media or other platforms.  Unfortunately, most severely autistic children do not have the capacity to consent to this sharing.  Most parents respond saying if they are unable to share for their children, then their children’s story about severe autism does not get told.  The public may only then see the mild story of autism life and not the challenges those with severe autism face.     Extreme Caregiving   Amy also goes into the topic of extreme caregiving which relates to the book by Lisa Freitag “Extreme Caregiving:  The Moral Work of Raising Children with Special Needs.”  Extreme Caregiving is the care that requires extra effort and supports and goes on longer than you would normally think.  Things like needing nursing care, constant around the clock care and needing extra supports through most, if not all of their adult lives.  It offers recognition of the challenges these parents face and supports they need to care for their disabled child.  It also states how many people in society think these parents should just “put a happy face on it” and push through it.    Final Tips   Amy leaves us with these tips, words of advice:  If you are not living with someone with severe autism, not living that life day to day, please know that severe autism is much different than what most people generally view and think about autistic individuals.  Most will think of what they see in the media today, for instance the movie Rain Man, those on the mild end of the autism spectrum.  Often the families of severely autistic individuals need very specific intensive disability supports that those on the mild end of the spectrum do not need.  Amy would just like everyone to understand why the families with severely autistic individuals fight for their loved ones and speak out for them.   Reach Out to Amy   Amy can be contacted through her website or through the National Council on Severe Autism.  Amy’s books, We Walk, Life With Severe Autism and Each Day I Like It Better are also available.  To learn more about the Better Care Better Jobs Act Annette mentioned in the podcast, click here for a download from the United States Senate.  For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  Please Leave a Podcast Review Please consider leaving a podcast review for Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast on iTunes.  More positive ratings and reviews mean more new listeners are introduced to this informational and inspirational podcast.  Look at the bottom of this page for the purple oval that says “Enjoying the podcast?  Leave an iTunes review here.”  This will take you over to the iTunes site/app where you will be able to login and leave a review.  We really appreciate it! You can also join our free Facebook group for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.  

Episode 123: Shining a Light on Severe Autism with Amy S.F. Lutz

This week features a very special back to back, two podcast episode release as Annette speaks with two guests who were interviewed for a recent Today Show Article called “Autism Wars.” Today’s episode features Annette’s interview with Kerry Magro, who is an award-winning national speaker, a best-selling author and a role model in the disability community.  Annette & Kerry speak about the “Autism Wars” article, disability in the workplace, bullying, unity and inclusion.   As a child, Kerry was non-verbal at 2.5 years and diagnosed with autism at age 4.  Kerry was not able to speak in complete sentences until age 7 and went through years of therapy to get where he is today.  Kerry has a doctorate in Educational Technology Leadership and is currently the CEO and founder of KFM Making a Difference which is a non-profit corporation that focuses on disability advocacy and housing.     Autism Wars Article   While most people don’t like the “Autism Wars” title of the Today Show article, thinking “war” is too strong, Kerry does feel there has been a divide in the community for quite some time between parents of autistic children and autistic adults.  There are those on the autistic adult side that feel that parents of autistic children share too much and parents who feel that autistic adults don’t share enough to allow them information they feel they need.  There needs to be unity, inclusion – both sides working together rather than separate.  The article did have a positive note for Kerry that many parents reached out to him about finding advocates and building friendships between parents and autistic adults.   Social Media Sharing   Another portion of this autistic divide is on sharing on social media. Some autistic adults feel that some parents overshare videos and photos on social media of their autistic children, basing this on the child being too young to consent.  Sharing in smaller, local groups for educational purposes can be beneficial but sharing to Facebook in larger groups might not.  Kerry mentions there is toxicity in social media and sometimes it is best to think before you share anything especially if it may cross a privacy line.   Disabled in the Workplace   Kerry also speaks about the disabled in the workplace.  Statistics say that up to 90% of autistic adults are either unemployed or underemployed.  Kerry notes there should be a better onboarding process for disabled individuals possibly offering a one-day job trial or having a speaker talk to them about their experiences.  Annette asks what smaller businesses can do to be more disability inclusive in their hiring process.  Kerry mentions to make sure your business keeps up with ADA accommodations for disabilities, having past employees offer testimonials and making sure your job listings note that you are open to hire anyone.  Unfortunately, there are a few job listing sites that will automatically keep out resumes that list words regarding “disability.”   Bullying   Bullying is another topic that Kerry speaks of often to parents. Kerry mentions we need to realize though that bullying does not just affect school age children.  There is a rise of bullying lawsuits in the workplace and people with disabilities being taken advantage of.  Everyone should have a safe environment to work in. October is National Bullying Prevention Month as well as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.     Final Tips   Kerry leaves us with his tips for what he would say to parents with autistic kids and disabled adults about coming together, being in unity.  Kerry feels each side is allowed to disagree but should take more time to listen and be more constructive in nature.  Don’t talk over each other.  Possibly find a neutral mediator to listen to both sides of the arguments and offer their thoughts. Disability groups are already facing challenges from outside the community.  They should come together, work together and be stronger together.   Contact Kerry   If you would like to learn more about Kerry Magro, you can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  To reach out to Kerry about speaking at your event, please click here.  To find out more about Kerry’s books, click here.   Also, to learn more about the groups Annette mentioned in her intro, click each one:  Perkins School for the Blind and SMILE Mass. For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  Please Leave a Podcast Review Please consider leaving a podcast review for Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast on iTunes.  More positive ratings and reviews mean more new listeners are introduced to this informational and inspirational podcast.  Look at the bottom of this page for the purple oval that says “Enjoying the podcast?  Leave an iTunes review here.”  This will take you over to the iTunes site/app where you will be able to login and leave a review.  We really appreciate it! You can also join our free Facebook group for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.  

Episode 122: Move Together In Unity with Kerry Magro

The Britney Spears guardianship case has brought the topic of guardianship into the spotlight lately.  People all over the world want to know more about what guardianship is and why it is used.  In this podcast episode, Annette goes over a few of the many guardianship questions she has received from listeners and followers.  Please note that guardianship laws do vary from state to state.  Please check with your state for their specific guardianship laws and procedures before beginning the guardianship process. A Way to Connect the Disability Community Annette opens the episode with a little explanation as to why she began this podcast.  Over 20 years ago, as a special needs mom, Annette struggled to find the information she needed for her daughter Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was born with mitochondrial disease, had a profound brain injury and was wheelchair bound.  Annette would constantly find one piece of information she needed in one place, then would have to hunt down another piece somewhere else.  There was no one place to gather all the information she needed.  This podcast was a way to try to help connect resources with families, professionals, and other interested parties in the disability community – to connect everyone together in one way, one group. Annette also created Special Needs Companies and the Facebook group Circle of Care to offer resources and a way to connect the disability community as well. Terminate a Guardianship The first guardianship question Annette goes over is how do you terminate a guardianship?  Annette explains this will require a trip back to court and medical documentation.  This medical evidence is needed to prove to the court that the previous incapacity the individual had that necessitated the guardianship before, is now changed and that person is now capable of making decisions for themselves.  A full guardianship may now be able to go to a limited guardianship, or a guardianship may be able to be terminated completely or go to an alternative form of guardianship.  Many states have gone from not having any alternatives to guardianship to now having supported decision making laws.  These allow a person with capacity to have a group of supporters assist in their decision making but the ultimate decision is left to the disabled person rather than left to the guardian in a guardianship situation.   Right To Counsel Annette also goes over the question regarding “right to counsel” within a guardianship case.  Unfortunately, this varies from state to state and there is no uniform right.  An individual may not automatically be appointed counsel because they are the subject of a guardianship petition.  The individual would need to understand that they need to hire their own counsel at their own cost if they wanted to fight the guardianship action.  This is not something that someone with diminished capacity may understand.  Nationally though, several organizations are trying to come up with best practices and guidelines where each state would have right to counsel available in all circumstances, though this would be challenging due to time and financial issues.  Find Assistance in Your State Annette would like to encourage each listener with guardianship questions to seek legal support in your own state.  There are a few networks to go to find an attorney:   NAELA, Special Needs Alliance and the Academy of Special Needs Planners.  You can also possibly find answers to your guardianship questions at the National Guardianship Association.   Please Leave a Podcast Review As Annette mentioned, please consider leaving a podcast review for Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast on iTunes.  More positive ratings and reviews mean more new listeners are introduced to this informational and inspirational podcast.  Look at the bottom of this page for the purple oval that says “Enjoying the podcast?  Leave an iTunes review here.”  This will take you over to the iTunes site/app where you will be able to login and leave a review.  We really appreciate it! You can also join our free Facebook group for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.

Episode 121: Guardianship Q&A with Annette Hines

As a child, Erich Shafer did not understand what he was and how he was different.  He knew he had balance issues and had to go to speech therapy every week for a heavy lisp to make himself “better.”  It wasn’t until later in life that he discovered he had Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder) and was on the Autism Spectrum.  In this podcast episode, Annette speaks with Erich about his neurodiverse journey and how he overcame his childhood struggles to create a successful and fulfilling life for himself. Childhood Years in Therapy Erich spent many of his childhood years going through what is now known as ABA Therapy.  He felt there was a value placed on the items he had, what he wanted to do and the friends he wanted to see.  Erich felt the value was his behavior, his compliance.  If he did not act a certain way, he was not allowed to watch television, to go outside, to play with his friends, to do the things he wanted to do.  Erich felt his therapy was similar to “clicker training” with dogs – a good behavior was rewarded with a treat. Moving towards adulthood, Erich felt like he was “playing pretend.” His therapy taught him the technique of “Masking” which is wearing the appropriate mask or behavior for each social situation you go into.  Therapy made him feel like he needed to adapt, he needed to act a certain way, he needed to wear a mask to fit into normal society.  Erich felt his therapy did not allow him to be himself. Driven To Succeed After getting a communication degree in college, Erich did a complete behavior shift and got into broadcasting.  He got a radio internship where he was eventually able to open up.  He was in a place where he was thought of as unique, one of the “creative types.”  Over time he also developed what his wife calls “motivated by spite” – if someone told Erich he could not do something, he purposely would turn that around and figure out a way to do it – and then do it! Erich now has a fantastic life he has worked hard for.  He has been married for almost 10 years to a wonderful women who understands his neurodiversity, his needs and supports him in every way possible. Erich has a full-time job with Work Community Independence, also works as an IT person for Boston Managed IT and even created his own company, Rabid Badger Studios.  He feels a huge sense of freedom that he is now able to be very flexible, to make his own schedule each day depending on his needs.  Advocate For Yourself Annette and Erich also speak about the importance of advocating for yourself If you are able to.  Make sure you are able to say what you want, what is important to you, have your voice heard.  Erich also feels that people should ask questions of a disabled person, don’t automatically assume that what works for some with that disability, will work for all.   Erich says “there’s as many opinions as there are neurodiverse people.”   Erich’s Closing Advice Erich’s advice to other kids growing up neurodiverse – it gets better – “with knowledge and understanding, comes a level of comfort.”  His advice to parents– listen to your child, listen to what motivates them, listen to what they feel, what they want.  Your child wants to be heard, ask them questions.  “Nothing about us, without us.”  Let your child have a voice. For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  Please Leave a Podcast Review As Annette mentioned in the intro, please consider leaving a podcast review for Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast on iTunes.  More positive ratings and reviews mean more new listeners are introduced to this informational and inspirational podcast.  Look at the bottom of this page for the purple oval that says “Enjoying the podcast?  Leave an iTunes review here.”  This will take you over to the iTunes site/app where you will be able to login and leave a review.  We really appreciate it! You can also join our free Facebook group for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.  

Episode 120: A Neurodiverse Journey with Erich Shafer

Being stopped by or questioned by the police can be stressful for anyone but for those who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled, it can be quite traumatic. Often these traumatic situations can trigger certain responses in a mentally disabled individual which can escalate into violence or other extreme matters, causing them to be unfairly accused/charged or labeled due to their illness or disability.      In this podcast episode, Annette speaks with Attorney Jason Chan, a criminal law attorney and partner in the firm Seed, Chan and Associates in Boston, about how individuals who are mentally ill and developmentally disabled are often treated and charged unfairly within the criminal justice system.   The main problem area Attorney Chan notes is usually with law enforcement or first responders as they generally have the first contact with the disabled individual.  There seems to be a lack of training and understanding for first responders as they don’t have specific mental disability instruction.  First responders are often only given very basic information about the situation they are heading into and are generally not aware of how to recognize danger zones and triggers for certain mental illnesses and disabilities.  This can at times lead to very dangerous situations. Training is highly needed for first responders but unfortunately there in no universal training course or guidelines. Difficulties also lie around who would be capable of instructing a training course and with so many different kinds of mental illness and disabilities, how can you train a first responder to recognize all the signs and the care needed for each.   Restraining orders can cause issues as well.  Some individuals that have mental illness or developmental disabilities don’t understand or deal with certain social situations well and can be misunderstood by roommates, those they work with or even romantic partners. Restraining orders can be devasting to a mentally disabled individual.  It does not necessarily mean they did something criminally wrong, but now that there is a restraining order tied to their name, it can preclude them from certain disability programs and housing situations once a background check is run.   Traffic stops can also lead to stressful situations where a mentally disabled person could panic and either want to flee the scene to the safety of their home or they may want to get out of the vehicle to speak with the police officer.  These types of reactions can escalate an already stressful situation with law enforcement.  Attorney Chan recommends that parents and/or caregivers coach their children ahead of time, in the event they are pulled over by law enforcement at some point.  Make sure the mentally disabled individual understands that police are there to help and likely there is nothing they have really done wrong.   Another situation that can lead to issues lies with college age students.  Generally, around the age of 17 or 18 is when and individual’s mental health issues may arise, and they may have their first psychotic break.  The stress of being away from home, a new state, a new environment, the pressure and demands of school work and maintaining grades can cause anxiety overload.  They may feel they are isolated, have no family support and may withdraw from everyone and everything. The individual may eventually end up in the hospital but as they are now over 18 and are considered adults, parents are not notified and are not able to make any legal decisions for them.  Attorney Chan recommends parents complete some estate planning documents before their child leaves for college including a Power of Attorney and a Health Care Proxy.  Once a child turns 18, they are considered an “adult” and parents no longer have any authority over them or can make decisions for them if they are deemed incompetent.     As a closing note, Attorney Chan recommends that parents and caregivers pass along their knowledge to others.  Make sure their mentally ill or developmentally disabled child is known in the community and others know what that child’s triggers may be.  Attorney Chan also recommends advocating with elected officials for training programs for better understanding of those with mental health issues and developmental disabilities.  Knowledge and training may help diffuse a situation before it becomes a larger issue.     If you would like to follow or reach out to Attorney Chan, you may find him at Seed, Chan and Associates and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  Attorney Chan also hosts his own legal podcast which can be found HERE  For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  You can also join our free Facebook group for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.

Episode 119: Disability and The Criminal Justice System with Attorney Jason Chan

Planning a future can be challenging.   Most people plan their future one step at a time, planning forward, toward their dream or goal. The PATH Process , “Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope”, is a creative planning tool that actually starts with the dream or end goal in mind, and you plan the action steps backwards from that dream.     In this episode, Annette speaks with Teri Steinberg , a disability consultant and mom, about the PATH Process and how using this you can assist the individual and their support network, plan positive futures.  Teri has been building PATH’s for over 16 years now, her first PATH being for her son.    When Teri’s son Bill was diagnosed with Autism over 20 years ago, she immediately quit her job and began to research everything about it.  She began gathering as much information as she could from other parents, support groups, government meetings – anywhere she could find information related to Autism, treatments, services, etc.  Teri created a huge information board, which she would share with other parents and support groups. Teri did not want to be a parent that wallowed in grief about her son’s diagnosis, but rather a parent of action that did everything she possibly could to assist him and other families in the similar situations.    Teri started meeting with a few parent support groups a few hours a week, offering them all the information she had gathered.  She then began working with microboards, which featured a small circle of support people surrounding the disabled focus individual. Unfortunately, Teri felt they focused too much on things the individual would NOT be able to do.  She wanted to speak about the individual’s strengths and abilities and what he was good at.     Teri was taught the PATH Process by David Wetherow, Jack Pearpoint and Lynda Kahn. PATH is a specific tool that allows you to bring together the disabled individual and the support group of people that know and love him.  Everyone sits and discuss the individual’s strengths and everything he can do and is good at, rather than focusing on the negative side and what he is not good at.  The individual’s ideal future dream life is discussed, and then working backwards, the action steps are created to implement a positive life working towards that dream. Everyone in the support group is then enlisted to assist in some part of the individual’s PATH.   It is important to note also that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can participate in their life at every level.  They should be included in all decisions regarding their life.  It is important to teach them from childhood how to support themselves, how to do things on their own, let them make their own choices and honor those choices.  This builds a child’s self-esteem and allows them to be present in their life.   Teri’s closing tip is for parents and disabled individuals to become more active and present with government.  Make your presence known with legislators and make it known you are a voter and would like to assist with anything disability related.  You have to be physically present, be seen, to bring awareness to disabilities.  Contact your local The Arc chapter and they can help you find legislators in your area.  If you are interested in learning more about Teri, please contact her through Facebook or reach out to us at Special Needs Companies.     For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  You can also join our free Facebook group for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.

Episode 118: The PATH Process with Teri Steinberg

In this episode, Annette speaks with Christa Couture, an award-winning recording artist, author, and broadcaster from Toronto, Canada.  Christa, who is also disabled, wrote the book "How to Lose Everything" which is a story of the grief and loss she has suffered in her life.  Christa has also recorded a Walrus Talks (the Canadian Ted Talks) called "Living Better"  where she speaks about accepting your life as different rather than better.     Christa has known her fair share of grief and loss.  At 11 she was diagnosed with bone cancer which was cured by the amputation of her left leg above the knee.  Christa had 2 infant sons who tragically passed away followed by divorce and then a thyroid cancer diagnosis which threatened her speaking and singing careers.  Christa finds that people don’t always want to speak about grief and loss, they are uncomfortable with sorrow.  Most seem to want to fix things quickly and just say, “Things will get better”.  Christa wrote the book “How to Lose Everything” to connect with those that are struggling with their grief, to hopefully allow them to feel less alone.  She also hopes the book will find those who may not be experiencing loss at this time but will allow them to understand and have compassion for someone they may know who is grieving.   Christa, who has been an amputee since the age of 13, wears a prosthetic leg.  For many years she kept her leg covered, not keeping it secret just not comfortable with it.  A few years ago, she received a new prosthesis and was feeling good about it and wanted to celebrate it.  Christa had seen a beautiful prosthesis that had been hand painted with flowers and was determined to create one for herself.  Her “flower leg” was then created laminating floral upholstery fabric to her prosthetic leg.  Her prosthesis became a “celebration of her loss”, as this now beautiful thing that she was proud of and wanted to show people.  The conversations about her leg also changed from what happened to you, to - wow that is beautiful, where did you get that, your leg is so cool – her leg became a huge confidence booster.   Christa also discusses her view of her disability.  As an amputee, Christa considers herself a disabled person due to the loss of a limb that she had been born with, whereas a person that was born without the limb may see themselves as limb different and not disabled.  There can be resistance for some to label themselves as disabled as the word “disabled” tends be thought of by most in a negative way.  Christa often does not feel her disability until she encounters things that affect it and show her she does have limitations.    Christa is currently working on a second book which will be focused more on disability.  She also received a grant and is producing a series of short, animated films based on her “How to Lose Everything” book.  Each film will be a different story of loss.  If you would like to check out Christa’s music, click here.  Christa can also be found on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.        For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  You can also join our free Facebook group for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.

Episode 117: Grief, Loss & Disability with Christa Couture

June celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride month each year to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising.  Pride Month is a time to recognize the issues, challenges, and discrimination the LGBTQ+ community has faced and to celebrate the triumphs.  In this podcast episode, Annette speaks with Ivylee Martinez and her adult child El Martinez, regarding gender identity issues.  El Martinez identifies with the pronouns They/Them/Their and at just 19 years old, boasts an impressive activism resume.  El begins by discussing that they had always known something was off with their gender.  In their freshman year of high school, El joined the GSA – Gender and Sexuality Alliance and met LGBTQ+ and trans people which got them thinking about their own gender identity.  El also gives us a breakdown of the various definitions for those not familiar: (Biological) Sex – assigned to a child at birth, most often based on external anatomy. Gender Identity – the term(s) someone uses to define their gender, ex: male, non-binary, woman, fluid. Gender expression – the manifestation of someone’s gender through their appearance. Transgender – a term used to describe someone who does not identify with the label/biological sex they were assigned at birth. Cisgender – a term used to describe someone who identifies with the label they were assigned at birth. El goes over the use of pronouns (He/She/They) and how it can be difficult and challenging for friends, family, teachers, and acquaintances to get pronouns correct.  El mentions the best thing to do if you make a mistake on someone’s pronoun is just to fix the mistake and move on with the conversation.   Too many apologies may begin to alienate the transgender person and make them upset or uncomfortable.   Annette and El also discuss how those in the disabled community, mainly neurodivergent and autistic, are more likely to be transgender.  Some autistic individuals center their gender identity around their autism and have been key in pushing forward gender acceptance. They also discuss the transgender fear of the healthcare system and the trauma that can occur when they are assigned the wrong gender by their doctors. They feel that sometimes transgender people avoid the treatment they need due to fear of having to explain or correct their gender to their doctor. El was forced to become their own advocate and activist due to their school system and their lack of support for El.  El was harassed throughout their time in high school and felt the school did not do enough research to support them and other LGBTQ+ people.  El ran for GSA president, won, and served as the GSA president their sophomore through senior year.  While president, El developed mentorship roles with other students to develop their self-confidence and to let students know it is ok to be themselves. El also sponsored the Gender X Bill  in Massachusetts which allows people to select “X” as their gender if they do not feel they identify with male or female.  El identifies as nonbinary and when they realized male or female were the only two choices available when applying for a Massachusetts driver’s license, they decided to do something about it.   El wrote a letter to Massachusetts Senator Karen Spilka and received a call from her the very next day wanting to support El in their Gender X effort.     El would like to leave us with their advice to youth and parents.  To youths, El says “you’re perfect just the way you are, it’s ok to explore, it’s ok to change how you identify”.  To parents, El says to have patience.  Kids may not have the answers to the questions you are asking.  Kids are still learning about themselves and to just listen to them and their needs and accept them as they are.  If you or someone you know does need assistance, please check out your local GSA and/or local LGBTQ+ center or group.  You can also contact the GLSEN and the Transgender Law Center.    For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration, and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  You can also join our free Facebook community for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.

Episode 116: Gender Identity with El Martinez and Ivylee Martinez

Resilience is the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult challenges.  Many special needs parents may struggle with this throughout their child’s journey.  The many challenges and difficulties with everyday life, doctors, and getting the proper supports they need can be overwhelming. In this episode, Annette speaks with Dr. Marcia Nathai-Balkissoon, who goes by Marcia NB.   Marica NB has a PhD in industrial engineering and is the author of the new book “Lighting the Path: Leaning into a Hopeful Future as a Special Needs Parent”  .  Marcia NB quickly faced her challenges with her own daughter Emma and became an advocate to help other families work through their own challenges.   Marcia NB’s daughter Emma was born in 2012 with heart issues and as the result of a heart surgery mistake, became severely brain damaged at only 8 months old.  While at a rehabilitation facility with Emma, Marcia NB saw many special needs children and families.  After a conversation with one mother that knew nothing about her own son’s disability, Marcia NB decided she needed to advocate for other families that were not getting the information they needed regarding their own children.  Marcia NB became a Parent Skills Master Trainer  through the World Health Organization  and Autism Speaks. Marcia NB also has a YouTube Channel called The Changemaker Series where she interviews people who are making a difference just by being themselves. Marcia NB also features her own talks where she hopes to help people step out of their “overwhelm” state and start taking back joy and fulfillment.  Marcia NB says, “We all have to come to our own understanding and create our own meaning out of what we are going through as special needs parents.”  To release her own personal tension and stress, Marcia NB wrote.  Marcia NB says the name of the book “Lighting the Path” came to be due to her feeling she was in darkness when the accident happened to Emma.  Marcia NB felt she needed to know this darkness, to become resilient and to help others in similar situations through their own darkness.  Lighting the Path’s final chapter “Celebrating Your Resilience” offers the wish that her experiences may help those walk their own path and achieve clarity and support through all their own challenges. For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  You can also join our free Facebook community for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.

Episode 115: Finding Resilience with Dr. Marica Nathai-Balkissoon

Adult ADHD or Attention -Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder where a person has difficulty concentrating, is hyperactive or restless and displays impulsive behaviors.   This previously recorded podcast is one of our favorites and offers some effective ways to manage Adult ADHD. In this episode, Annette has a conversation with David Greenwood, author of the book, Overcoming Distractions-Thriving with Adult ADHD. The book profiles many entrepreneurs around the country who have ADHD and have created successful businesses. Annette and Dave talk about how in some cases, a parent of a child can get frustrated and even lose hope when they have to work around or deal with challenging behaviors. And by reading the book that Dave wrote, they can begin to understand that there can be a successful person under all those ADHD challenges. Annette and Dave also take time out to chat about some of the funnier aspects of having adult ADHD such as forgetfulness and being time blind. While these can get in the way of running a successful business, sometimes we just have to have a little laugh at our own expense. Annette and Dave talk about some of the more effective ways in which successful adults with ADHD manage and thrive such as regular exercise, proper sleep, nutrition, and the topic of meditation. They chat about managing your time and your environment and best practices about managing procrastination and productivity. And they chat about the positive aspects of having ADHD such as creativity, risk-taking, energy and having an entrepreneurial mindset. Learn more about Dave Greenwood, his book and the popular podcast by the same name at: Overcoming Distractions  For more information on this and other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  You can also join our free Facebook community for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube.  We are also on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends! 

Episode 114: Overcoming Distractions – Thriving with Adult ADHD with Dave Greenwood

Communication is key, and being able to communicate with your loved ones and friends when they may not be able to use their voice can create challenges.  We wanted to release this extremely helpful, previously recorded podcast again to remind listeners there are alternate ways to communicate other than just speech and voice.  In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Host Annette Hines speaks with special needs mother and inventor Randi Sargent. Randi created the website SayitwithSymbols.com, the only source dedicated to taking the guesswork out of caring for adults with cognitive/communication challenges by offering easy-to-use, picture-based communication aids designed specifically for adult caregiving. Randi was inspired to start Say It With Symbols after the birth of her son who was born with severe communication and intellectual disabilities. Despite years of specialized programs, Randi’s son never developed the ability to speak, read, write, or walk independently. Through her own experience, she realized there was a need for communication devices geared towards adults. In 2008, Randi created a line of products designed for adults that are based on best practices supported by academic research. Her communication devices can be used by anyone from adults with disabilities to people who have lost their ability to speak after a medical event such as a stroke. Randi’s products have been field-tested and improved by caregivers striving to communicate with their loved ones who cannot speak.  Annette and Randi also discuss the importance of making sure people have the ability to communicate using tools like Talking Mats and the need for more transition tools for non-verbal adults. 

Episode 113: How To Make Communication Meaningful with Randi Sargent

The negative impacts of the pandemic have been talked about over and over for the past year.  Let’s talk about the positives, the good things that the pandemic has brought us.  In this episode Annette discusses the three positive lessons she has learned from the pandemic, the three positive changes that have happened: 1 – Observation, 2 – Collaboration, and 3 – Innovation. Annette starts off the episode with a mini review as to what this podcast is all about, why she created it.  Annette says, “I started this podcast as a way to connect and bring information to the community.”  Years ago, as a single parent raising 2 daughters, Annette faced many challenges and struggles.  Her daughter Elizabeth, who would have been 25 years old May 31, was profoundly disabled due to mitochondrial disease.  Annette found it hard to get the supports needed as well as information as the internet back then was not what it is today.   Elizabeth passed away 7 and a half years ago and Annette felt she needed to do more.  She wanted to help the community get even more information, to help other parents, families, and disabled individuals.  She wrote a book about her experiences raising her daughter Elizabeth Butterflies and Second Chances: A Mom's Memoir of Love and Loss, she blogged,  she wrote articles for various publications and then the podcast was born.  The podcast has become a tool to bring even more information to everyone all over the world.   Annette then discusses the three positive lessons learned from the pandemic.  Number one is “OBSERVATION”.  Through the magic of Zoom, the window to the world, we have been able to observe classroom learning and exercises in both school and adult services and programs.   This has allowed us to view where things are going well and not so well as well as the response level of our loved one to the programs and classes. Lesson number two is “COLLABORATION”.  We now have access to teachers, administrators, directors and staff for schools and programs, everyone that is working with and caring for our loved ones. We have the opportunity to be an equal member of our loved one’s “team” and work with them one on one. Lesson number three is “INNOVATION”. We have grown tired of the same old services that have been offered for so many years.  We have now seen so many exciting things happen and so many new processes that were created and are working.  We don’t have to go back to the same old way we were doing things.  Annette wants to give everyone a little seed of encouragement, “think creatively and get together with the other stakeholders in your communities”.  Go over the data collected in your observation and collaborations.  Take a look at rebuilding adult programs and school programs. They do not have to go back to the way they were. For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about - Contact Us!  You can also join our free Facebook community for the disability community, the “Circle of Care,” or watch the webinars and other speaking events on YouTube. The purpose of this community is to create a space for people to be themselves, ask questions and get support and answers, so please share these resources with your friends!  Annette Hines has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law, and Estate Planning for more than 20 years. Ms. Hines brings personal experience with special needs to her practice and podcasts as the mother of two daughters, one of whom passed away from Mitochondrial disease in November 2013. This deep, personal understanding of special needs fuels her passion for quality special needs planning and drives her dedication to help others within the special needs community.

Episode 112: Positive Lessons Learned from the Pandemic with Host Annette Hines

Parenting: Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast is a podcast dedicated to giving compassionate advice for all stages of life. Our conversations revolve around the entire special needs community including those with autism, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health issues and more. Parents and experts (and sometimes parents who are experts!) discuss a whole host of issues facing the special needs community including raising children with different abilities, transitioning into adulthood, sibling challenges and how to effectively navigate the complex systems in our world. We offer inspiration, support, expertise and a wide range of discussions that will help you survive and thrive as you support your loved one with special needs. Imagine yourself having coffee with a friend and discussing all the important challenges in your life – but your best friend is an expert! Hosted by Attorney Annette Hines, special needs mom, author of the best-selling book Butterflies and Second Chances, national expert speaker, writer and contributor to publications, and founder of the Special Needs Law Group based In Massachusetts, Annette has regular guests that include experts in the field of special needs, siblings that offer stories and survival tips with a positive message.

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Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast

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