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If you have questions?????

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 18:07:27 GMT

New Title

Research shows most families have not created a plan!! if you need help schedule a free consultation.

LFG: Special Needs Division

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:05:45 GMT

Our Passion

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Dream Hunting Tools

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 22:19:16 GMT

Introduction to Charting the Lifecourse tools

A short introductory video of tools I utilize to help families chase their dreams.

Letter of intent breakdown Month 5

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:15:00 GMT

Programs and schedules

Describe your child's current Individual Program Plan
Describe an average daily schedule include activities typically done on "days off".
What type of assistance or monitoring is needed for the following activities: Self-care, Domestic activities (cleaning ,cooking etc.) Transportation, Reinforcement of social and interpersonal activities with others.
Describe how you would like caregivers to treat matters like sanitation, social skills, appearance, and relationships with opposite sex.
What values do you want caregivers to demonstrate
Describe how you best reinforce you son or daughter's self-esteem discuss how you use praise and realistic goal setting.
Describe sleep habits and how they wake up
Describe amount of assistance needed for personal finances like budgeting, bill pay, managing cash and spending
Indicate if you recommend an allowance if so how much.

Letter of intent Month 4

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 18:00:00 GMT

Housing and Personal care

Housing:

Describe Current Living situation, include the Advantages and disadvantages of current situation. And any known upcoming changes.

Past Living Situation , What worked Well, What didn’t work

Future: Plans

Living Arrangement, What Age/stage, Supervision Needed and Quantity. Would child want Roommates if yes how many,

Adaptations Needed to home

Community (list types or places that need to be conveniently located, favorite restaurants, shopping, recreation, people)

Daily Living Skills:

Describe average daily schedule: include any particular activities done on certain days and any typical days off (church on Sunday, schedule free day on 1st Friday of month)

Level of assistance Needed for the following:

Dressing - Shower/ bath

Shaving

Housekeeping

Laundry

Cooking

Menu Plan

Shopping

Money Skills

Budgeting _

Transportation

Social Activities

Self Advocacy

Doctor or Dentist Appointments

Describe your ideal Caregiver

Month 3 Letter of intent

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 18:34:50 GMT

Medical and History care

We are continuing in the Medical and History care section this month.

Other Problems: describe any special problems your child has, such as bad reactions to the sun, or staph infections, if he or she becomes too warm. (you know all the catch all things you just know)

Procedures: Describe any helpful hygiene procedures such as cleaning wax out of ears, trimming toe and finger nails, or cleaning teeth ( any special equipment like 3 headed toothbrush). Are these procedures currently done at home or by a doctor or other professional? What do you recommend for the future?

Operations: List all operations and the dates and places of their occurrence.

Hospitalization: List any other periods of hospitalization your child has had. List the people you recommend to monitor your child’s voluntary or involuntary hospitalizations and to act as liaison with doctors.

Birth control: if your son or daughter uses any kind or birth control pill or device, list type, dates used, and doctor prescribing it.

Devices: Any adaptive or prosthetic devices such as glasses, braces, shoes, hearing aides or artificial limbs.

Medication: List all prescription medications currently being taken, plus dosage, and the purpose of each one. Describe your feelings about the medication. List any medications that have proved effective for problems that have occurred frequently in the past and the doctor prescribing the medication. List medications that have not worked well in the past and the reason. Don’t forget to list any medications that cause allergic reactions.

Over the Counter (OTC): List any OTC that has proven helpful such as vitamins or dandruff shampoo. Describe conditions helped by these medications and frequency of use.

Monitoring: Indicate whether your child needs someone to monitor the taking of medication or apply ointments. If so who typically does this and who do you suggest for the future. What special qualifications would this person need.

Procurement: does your child need help to obtain medications. Do they need reminders or assistance to take medications.

Diet: if your child has a special diet of any kind please describe in detail. Indicate the reason for the diet. If there is no special diet you might want to include tips about what works well for avoiding weight gain and for following the general guidelines of a balanced, healthy diet. Describe the foods your child likes best and where the recipes for these foods can be found. Lastly, if there is a strong aversion to any particular food or texture.

Unraveling the Mysteries

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 18:03:26 GMT

Questions Every Super Parent of Special Needs Children wants Answered!

1. "How do I unlock the superpowers of support for my child's development? " Every super parent wants to equip their child with the best tools for success. From therapies to educational interventions, they're eager to uncover the secrets of supercharged development. The mission: consult with professionals to discover personalized strategies that will help their child soar like never before.

2. "How can I wield the power of advocacy for my child's rights and inclusion?" Advocacy is the superpower that ensures special needs children receive the support they deserve. These super parents seek to navigate the complex web of laws and regulations, empowering their child to conquer any obstacle in their path. Armed with knowledge and determination, they work tirelessly to create a world where inclusion is the norm. And teach their children to speak up for themselves as well.

3. "How do I assemble the ultimate squad of friends and foster socialization for my child?" Superheroes know the importance of teamwork, and these super parents are no exception. They yearn for the perfect formula to foster friendships and social interactions for their child. Through the power of support groups, community programs, and inclusive playdates, they build an unbeatable network that creates opportunities for their child to thrive socially.

4. "How can I defend my child's emotional well-being like a superhero?" Every superhero knows that emotional well-being is a superpower in itself. Super parents want to learn how to tackle anxiety, manage behavior challenges, and boost their child's self-esteem. With the guidance of therapists, psychologists, and support groups, they acquire the tools to become guardians of their child's emotional fortress.

5. Where can I discover hidden treasures of resources and financial assistance?" Super parents aren't just adept at saving the day; they're masters of finding hidden resources and financial aid. They embark on a quest to locate government programs, insurance coverage, grants, and charitable organizations that offer support for their child's unique needs. With their super sleuthing skills, they secure the necessary resources to ensure their child's success. They also understand the importance of natural supports and don't wait for waiver slots before building a plan.

6. "How do I keep my own superpowers charged as a parent?" Super parents know that self-care is essential for maintaining their extraordinary abilities. They seek ways to replenish their own energy and well-being while juggling the responsibilities of being a superhero. Through self-care practices, support networks, and maybe even a secret superhero hideout, they discover the secrets to staying super and saving the day. They understand that one can not pour from an empty cup.

Being a super parent to a special needs child is an epic adventure filled with challenges and victories. As these incredible individuals seek answers to their burning questions, they transform into supercharged advocates, armed with knowledge, support, and a dash of superhuman determination. So, don your capes, fellow superheroes, and remember that no matter the question, there's always a thrilling answer waiting to be discovered. Together, we'll conquer the unknown and celebrate the remarkable journey of being a super parent to a special needs child!

If you are feeling overwhelmed or simply need some new tools in your tool belt, reach out and let me help you chase the dream.

Tips to enhance learning

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 17:29:38 GMT

10 Tips to enhance learning this school year

Can you believe that the new school year is just around the corner?? This year is flying by!! So today I wanted to give a few tips on some strategies to enhance learning at home.

1. **Utilize Learning Styles**: Understanding a child's learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) is essential for creating engaging lessons. Adjust the lessons accordingly to help the child better grasp the concepts.

2. **Interactive Learning**: Consider incorporating activities that are interactive and hands-on. This could be art projects, science experiments, or anything that involves physically manipulating objects or materials.

3. **Frequent Breaks**: Breaks are crucial to prevent a child from feeling overwhelmed. Short breaks every 15-20 minutes can make extended periods of learning more manageable. It could be a quick snack, a short walk, a quick game, or simple exercise.

4. **Real-world Connections**: Try to relate the lessons to real-life scenarios as much as possible. Children often understand concepts better when they can apply them to the world around them. For example, creating a home budget or baking cookies could help teach math.

5. **Use Technology Wisely**: There are various educational games, apps, and platforms that can turn learning into a fun-filled process. But make sure to moderate screen time as per the child's needs and age-appropriate guidelines.

6. **Tailor the Environment**: Create a dedicated, distraction-free space for learning. This area should have all the necessary resources your child needs.

7. **Set Clear Expectations**: Make sure the child knows what is expected of them during study time, and use clear, simple instructions when assigning tasks.

8. **Consistency and Routine**: Children find comfort in predictability, so try to establish a consistent routine for academics.

9. **Incorporate Physical Activity**: Active movement can complement learning. Activities like hopscotch for number sequencing or acting out a story can help in better comprehension.

10. **Learning Together**: Encourage the child to teach what they've learned to someone else, like a sibling or a parent. Doing so will reinforce their understanding of the topic.

Remember, each child is unique and might need different strategies. These tips can be adapted and modified to best suit each child’s unique abilities and interests.

Month 2 Letter of intent

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 03:11:16 GMT

Let's continue to work on a family letter of intent

Medical History and Care

Diagnoses : List main diagnoses for you child

Seizures : indicate seizure history, whether currently controlled, for how long, any known “triggers”

Functional skill level : what activities they perform, how independent, any required assistive devices.

Vision : status of child’s vision, do they need glasses, list date of last eye exam, and copy of any RX for eyewear.

Hearing : status of hearing, and any adaptive equipment needed, list date of last hearing test.

Speech : status of speech, do they use any communication aids, how easily do strangers understand, If non-verbal specify techniques you use to communicate. If you are not around who is the next best person that understands your child’s speech.

Mobility : indicate level of mobility, any required assistance or equipment necessary.

Blood : list your child's blood type and any special problems concerning blood.

Insurance : List type, amount, and policy number for medical coverage, what is included in the coverage, will the death of parents have any effect. Don’t forget to include Medicare and Medicaid information also.

Current Physicians : list current physician, including specialist. Full name, type of practice, address, phone numbers, average number of visits a year, the total charges from each doctor during the last year, and the amounts not covered by insurance.

Previous Physicians : full names, address, phone numbers, type of practice, most common reasons they saw your child, describe any important findings or treatment. Explain why you are no longer using them.

Dentist : Full name, address, phone number, frequency of exams, any recommendations or special treatment plan.

Nursing needs : indicate any need for nursing care, list reasons, procedures, nursing skill required, and typical location of care (home, office etc.)

Mental Health : Provide details of any Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Counselor, frequency of visits, and treatment plan.

Therapy : Provide details of any Speech, Occupational, or physical therapy your child receives, include therapist name, address, phone and location of service. Does your child need any modifications to the home, or assistive devices to make environment more accessible.

Diagnostic Testing : list information about all diagnostic testing in the past: Name of individual or organization that administered, address, phone number, testing dates and summary of findings. How often does testing need to be completed and where.

Genetic Testing : List findings of any genetic testing. Name of individual or organization who completed, address, phone number, and testing dates.

Immunizations: list type and dates of all immunizations

Diseases: List all childhood diseases and date of their occurrence. List any other infectious diseases your child has had in the past, any current, any diagnoses as a carrier for any disease.

Allergies: List all allergies and current treatment. Include any past that they may have outgrown. Describe past and current treatments and their effectiveness.

Letter of Intent

Wed, 31 May 2023 16:01:20 GMT

All families should create a letter of intent. It provides information and details about your family when you are no longer here to provide it. I can not tell you how many times I have called my mom to get information about an illness or accident on myself, so this information is valuable for every family to have but vital for families with individuals with disabilities. I get it is a daunting task..... SO let's break it up into monthly bite size bits. One eats the elephant one bite at a time!!

Month 1

1. Information about Father.

A. General Information

a. Full Name

b. Social Security Number

c. Complete Address, Phone Numbers Home and Work

d. Date of Birth

e. Place of Birth: city, state, country

f. Fluent Languages

g. Religion

h. Race

i. Blood Type

j. Number of siblings

k. ? US Citizen

B. Marital Status: Current Marital Status, Date of Marriage, Place of Marriage, Number of Children from Marriage. Then add the same information for any previous marriages.

C. Family: List complete names of father’s siblings and parents, For those still living list their addresses, phone numbers, and pertinent biographical information

2. Repeat step 1 for Mother

3. Your Child or Children

A. General information

a. Full Name and what name they like to be called.

b. Numbers: Social Security, Complete Address, Phone, Height, Weight, Shoe size, and clothing size.

c. More details: Gender, race, fluent language, religion, and citizenship.

d. Birth: List birthday and time, and any complications. Give Birth weight and height, place of birth and City and state were raised.

e. Siblings: give detailed information both geographical and emotional (closeness to individual with disability) Include details on any spouses of siblings as well.

f. Other relationships: friends or family child knows and likes, provide a description of the relationship.

g. Guardians: if an adult has child been declared incompetent, Named Successors, provide details for any and all guardians,

h. Advocates: list the people in order who you foresee acting as advocates for your child after your death. (Speak with them)

i. Trustee: indicate if you have set up a Trust for your child and provide a list of Full Names, addresses and phone numbers of all trustees.

j. Representative Payee: Indicate if you have one and provide the details.

k. Power or Attorney: Indicate the type and provide details of individual.

l. Final Arrangements: Describe any arrangements that have been made for your child’s funeral and burial. List individuals or company to contact. Also list any payments that have been made and what is covered by those payments. If you have not made specific arrangements indicate if Burial or Cremation is preferred.

New year, New possibilities

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 15:48:19 GMT

Welcome to 2023!! I don’t know about you, but the years seem to be passing by at warp speed. My grandparents always told me this would happen but I didn’t really believe them, guess lesson learned always trust your elders.

So what is new for 2023? First off in 2022 I completed the Charted Special Needs Consultant certification. I am always looking to improve skills so that I can help families achieve their dreams. So following that same principle, this year I am working on becoming an ambassador for Charting the Lifecourse. This program falls directly into my beliefs and mission that all individuals have the right to define their dreams and chase them. Charting the Lifecourse provides person centered thinking tools to provide practical strategies for gathering meaningful information and facilitating conversations about goal setting, problem solving, and action planning. I look forward to learning more and sharing and using these tools to help families of all ages not only define their dreams, but be able to communicate their goals and plans to all stakeholders.

In recent research, I discovered that the number one challenge for most families is conveying their goals/desires to professionals. Sadly. many parents have ideas about what they want for their child’s future, but get sidetracked by what professionals believe their child’s capabilities are. Therefore, I want to teach parents how to communicate effectively with professionals using the tools available in Charting the LifeCourse so that their child’s best life and dreams becomes the focus and driving force in planning meetings. It is never to early to utilize person centered thinking to plan and design the program that works best for your family and your child.

In 2023 let’s work together to chase your family’s dream.

Down syndrome awareness month

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:36:35 GMT

This month I celebrate the lights of my life and my reason for doing what I do. My wonderful sons Matt and Jeremiah. Since the 1980's October has been recognized as a time to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome. A time to make others aware of their abilities and accomplishments. So, a little bit about my boys.

Matt loves music, art, and all things Disney. Matt even designed a buddy walk poster when he was in the 3rd grade for the Dallas Down Syndrome Guild. October is one of Matt's favorites because it means the whole family dresses up for Halloween (Papa's Birthday). This year's theme is Frozen, and Matt is going to be Kristoff. Matt also loves birthdays and his call to sing happy birthday is a highlight of the day for all family members.

Jeremiah loves all things electronic, Coba Kia, and cooking shows. He is the most empathetic and compassionate young man I know. He doesn't really care for the dressing up part of Halloween but will play along for his brother. Jeremiah loves to watch cooking shows (Hell's Kitchen is a favorite). He has started doing some of his own meal preparation using the microwave. But his most favorite activity is playing with his electronics, especially games like Dinosaur hunter.

My sons are not defined by a disability, but by their ABILITIES. Never underestimate what they can do when given the opportunity.

Support Your Child With Disabilities — and Still Qualify for Medicaid

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:34:31 GMT

If you have a child with a disability, providing for them into the future will likely stand among your top priorities. However, if you also wish to apply for Medicaid to cover your own long-term care expenses, first consider establishing a special needs trust (SNT) for your child.

This will allow you to transfer assets to support them while remaining eligible for Medicaid yourself. The rules for participating in Medicaid, a federally funded program managed by the individual states, are stringent and complex. Applicants must demonstrate that their income and assets are below the limits set by their state before Medicaid will fund their long-term care. Anyone with more than $2,000 (in most states) in “countable assets” (generally, anything beyond their home, one automobile, and personal belongings) will not qualify.

At the same time, applicants can’t just give their money away and expect immediate support from the program. Congress does not want people to move into a nursing home on Monday, give all their money to their beneficiaries on Tuesday, and be eligible for Medicaid on Wednesday. To avoid this situation, any Medicaid applicant who has transferred their assets recently — in most states, “recently” means the past 60 months — will be ineligible for funding for a certain period of time. The duration of these penalty periods is determined by dividing the amount transferred by what Medicaid determines to be the average private-pay cost of a nursing home in that state.

Special Needs Trusts to the Rescue

The good news: Certain asset transfers are exempt from such penalties. Even after entering a nursing home, Medicaid applicants may transfer any asset to the following individuals without having to wait out a period of Medicaid ineligibility:

their spouse
a trust for the sole benefit of a child (of any age) who is blind or permanently disabled as defined by the IRS
a trust for the sole benefit of anyone under age 65 who is permanently disabled

In other words, there is a way to set money aside for someone with permanent disabilities and still qualify for Medicaid for your own long-term care. This is possible through an SNT, which is specifically geared to support the beneficiary with disabilities, under the management of a trustee, throughout their lifetime. (In this case, the SNT would be a “ third-party SNT” because the funds come from someone other than the person with disabilities.)

An SNT also can ensure that the individual with disabilities continues to receive any public benefits already available to them through government programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). That is, if you were to transfer your assets directly to the person with disabilities and their resulting “countable assets” then exceeded a program’s threshold (which is $2,000 for SSI), you may inadvertently have made them ineligible for those government programs. Because each state is different when it comes to Medicaid, and because laws and cost projections are constantly changing, be sure to work closely with a special needs planner in your home state so that you can provide for your own care, and that of your loved one with disabilities, in the best possible way. For more information, please give me a call.

Not enough services to go around

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:32:16 GMT

I have spoken with many families lately that received their notice that they finally were coming off the Medicaid Waiver waitlist. Some have been waiting for more than 10 years. Sadly, the wait is not over. Now they must wait for an opening with a service provider. Several years ago, in Texas I worked with a group that was forming Microboards for families. The idea of a Microboard is to develop personal support services for individuals with disabilities, for obtaining and managing direct, individualized funding, and for engaging members of the larger community in purposeful personal support networks. The main objectives

1. Establish a mechanism for direct individualized funding, preventing the waiting for a place with a service agency

2. Provide a mechanism for bringing effective control of support services into the hands of the person who was being supported and the people who were closest to him or her,

3. Develop an understandable pattern for drawing together an intentional citizen-based personal support network,

4. Develop a pattern that would define and maintain the identity and efforts of the support network (the Microboard members and allied others).

The state of Texas and others actively works with families Microboards for individuals to obtain Medicare Waiver Services, but at this point I do not know how Arkansas will view Microboards. I have a Microboard established for my sons, put in place several years ago with the assistance of a local attorney. Unfortunately, at this point we are still waiting for the boys to receive waiver services; but if you have received your letter, and want to know more about Microboards Schedule a meeting, I would love to share.

How to plan for Summer Fun

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:24:58 GMT

Summer is a time for getting out and making memories. However, that fun can put a significant dent in your savings, especially this year as more travel destinations and amusement venues reopen.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can help you develop and commit to a savings plan that lets you enjoy everything the summer has to offer without setting aside your long-term financial goals.

To get you started, first take stock of your current financial situation:

Check in on your savings and update your household budget so you know how much is already allocated to essential spending and what is left over each month that could go toward summer plans.
Think about upcoming income changes. If you have seasonal work or plan to change jobs soon, ensure your budget accounts for the potential loss or gain of income.
Prioritize your needs before you decide how much you reasonably have to spend on summer activities. Make sure your bills and all basic necessities are covered.
Don’t lose sight of your goals. Review your long-term goals and check your emergency fund. Continue setting aside money for these items, even as you budget for summer.
Trim excess. As you review and update your budget, look for miscellaneous unnecessary spending. Do you have a subscription or streaming service you don’t use? Eliminate it to free up some funds.

Once you know where you stand, you can start planning for financially savvy summer fun:

Set a budget for each summer activity to prevent overspending. Pick a number that includes any required transportation, lodging, food, tickets and miscellaneous items (such as gas or souvenirs) then make your summer plans around this budget.
Find ways to save on transportation and accommodations. Traveling during off peak times, using credit card points, or taking advantage of deals that give you a free hotel night if you stay a certain number of days are all possible options to research.
Take advantage of COVID-19 flexibility. Many airlines and hotels currently offer flexible booking options that let you cancel if health guidelines or your own plans change. This is a great way to avoid last-minute change fees.
Look to local events. Summer fun doesn’t only happen far away. You can significantly reduce costs by taking advantage of nearby activities. Hiking trails, beaches, museums and festivals offer enjoyment without the cost of travel.
Meet with a CFP® professional. If you haven’t already done so, consider talking through your short- and long-term financial goals and making a roadmap to reach your financial goals. You can find a CFP® professional at letsmakeaplan.org .

When warmer weather invites you to get away and explore, remember that summer fun doesn’t have to be a budget buster. Before you set off, think about your finances and make a plan.

“New and Improved” Tax Deductions for parents of Children with Special Needs.

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:19:11 GMT

Unique tax benefits are available to families who have children with special needs. And thanks to recent changes in the tax code, there are opportunities to save substantial amounts of money at tax time. Thomas M. Brinker, Jr., a professor of accounting at Arcadia University in Pennsylvania, has put together a handy checklist of some potential tax benefits that could be available to families who care for a special needs child.

This list includes the tax benefits that have been available for a while and incorporates updated information from the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, the CARES Act (passed in March 2020 for COVID relief), and the American Rescue Plan of 2021 that have a direct impact on families with special needs dependents.

Following are some highlights. The complete checklist is available for download here .

Special education

If the special needs child attends a special school (or is in an institution) for the main purpose of alleviating his disability by using the facility’s resources, the cost of the child's tuition, lodging, meals, and transportation is deductible, as are the costs of supervision and care. Regular independent schools can be classified as “special schools” if the school has a special curriculum for neurologically disabled individuals, and according to IRS regulations, their tuition costs would be deductible.

If the child is receiving private tutoring by a specialized teacher, the IRS has ruled that those fees are deductible, as are tuition fees for special education provided to dyslexic children.

Services and therapies

Prof. Brinker notes that prescribed vitamin and equestrian therapies are deductible, in addition to other group or individual programs such as art, music, dance, and play, and summer camp. It is crucial to get a doctor’s recommendation as part of the necessary paperwork.

Medical expenses

As Prof. Brinker explains, “Unreimbursed medical expenses are deductible only to the extent that the Tax Payer itemizes their deductions (Schedule A) and these exceed 7.5 percent of their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).” Note that as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the standard deduction was significantly increased, and is $12,550 for individuals and $25,100 for couples in 2021. So only families who expect to spend substantially more than these amounts on medical care for their special needs dependent would benefit from this provision.

For families who plan on itemizing their special needs medical expenses, note that travel costs for medical treatment are deductible as follows: $50 per day of food and lodging for the taxpayer and one other person (if an overnight stay is required), and driving expenses at $.16 per mile.

Also, registration and attendance fees for medical conferences (though not food and lodging) qualify, as long as the conference topic relates to the condition of the dependent with special needs.

Tax-deferred and tax-advantaged accounts

Parents of children with special needs might consider enrolling in a flexible spending account (FSA) through their employer to pay for qualifying medical expenses that are not reimbursed. For 2021, the maximum annual contribution to an FSA is $2,750, and as a provision of the CARES Act, over-the-counter medications are now eligible expenses for FSAs.

Regarding early withdrawals from qualified retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s, any distributions spent on deductible medical care (i.e., amounts in excess of the 7.5 percent of AGI threshold) for dependents with special needs are not subject to the 10 percent penalty (though they are still subject to income tax).

Other benefits in Prof. Brinker’s checklist include an expanded definition of a qualifying child, who can be older than 19 if shown to have special needs and lives at home. And revised provisions mean changes to the personal and dependency exemption rates and phase-outs, as specified in the Tax Cuts Act of 2017 and the American Rescue Plan of 2021.

To ensure you are taking advantage of all the tax benefits and credits available to you, consult with an attorney whose practice focuses on working with families of special needs children.

For Prof Brinkers Checklist, Click here

Why I’m passionate about Special Needs Planning

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 15:17:28 GMT

When I was growing up, my mom worked in a residential facility for disabled children and adults. Lucy, a young girl with Down Syndrome, would occasionally come home with my mom. So, Lucy and I would spend the day playing and hanging out. I never saw Lucy or any of the other individuals I met as different than me. When I turned 13 years old, I started volunteering at the institution, going to the state Fair, shopping, circus, Special Olympics, weekend camps, you name it we did it. There was nothing that myself and whichever individual I was with could not accomplish together. Sometimes new activities took a little longer, but that did not mean they were uncapable of accomplishing. The honest thing was I never saw any of my friends from the institution as any different from me, until my senior year in high school.

The Fall of 1987 the federal mandate to close the residential facility was in full force. Some of the individuals in charge decided that a group of students should be bused to the local high school instead of them attending the classes at the institution. I was excited to see some of my friends coming to my high school and would be a student aide in their classroom one period every day. My excitement turned into total dismay the day the bus pulled up to the front of the high school. My fellow students stared, ridiculed and acted like total jerks when they saw the students from the institution get off the bus. I could not understand the horrible reaction and defended by friends. That afternoon, the teacher of the class thanked for coming to their defense, but I just could not understand why it was needed and how could people have reacted so horribly. That was when I realized that no matter the disability, I did not see it as anything but “normal” because I had always been around individuals with many differences, my “normal” high school peers did not share my experiences. I am happy to report that it took many conversations and positive experience to change the attitudes of students, but the year ended with a greater understanding for everyone.

After graduating from high school, I went to work for the school district at the institution until it closed and then transitioned into community-based programs with individuals from the institution. There was a steep learning curve for individuals when they moved into the community. For example, the canteen at the institution had vanilla ice cream, when one young man went to Baskin Robbins the first time, he had a major melt down due to so many choices. The experience with this transition lead to my belief that individuals should be allowed to make choices and express their dreams and desires for their life.

Fast forward a few years, I became the very proud mom of Matthew and 7 years later Jeremiah. Both of my wonderful sons are the light of my life, they also have down syndrome. Needing to work and take care of the boys lead me to becoming a special education teacher. I spent several years helping families transition from public education system into adulthood. I discovered that often parents had been told all the things their child would never be capable of doing, leading to low or no expectations of any independence. I will never forget the first time a parent realized the abilities of her son. He was 20 years old and she still did everything for him, including bathing, dressing, and brushing his teeth. He had an accident at school, and I simply gave him his clothes and sent him into the bathroom to change. After, he assisted washing and drying his dirty clothes. When mom picked him up that afternoon, I let her know about the accident and that he had changed and washed his clothes. She broke down in tears, explaining the doctors said he would never be capable of such activities. Needless to say life in their household drastically changed after that; she stopped doing everything for him and encouraged him to make choices, and spread his wings. In my class, our motto was to shoot for the moon, because even if we missed, we landed among the stars. My students had someone who believed they were CAPABLE, and they could achieve their dreams, if they simply dared to try.

My experience has brought me to this work. I am not just a mom, teacher, friend, or Financial Planner, I am all those things rolled into one. I am passionate about helping individuals and their families to dream big. I want to help break those dreams down into manageable steps, find solutions to barriers, build a support system, and plan for long-term stability. Life is short, don’t spend time worrying about the future, plan for it.