Episode 90: How to Hit “Reset” in 2021 with Ian Adair
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Release Date: 12/30/2020
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Navigating the complexities of the special needs community is fraught with challenges, and the current workforce crisis in the disability sector is a cliff we're all facing together. Annette has seen firsthand how the pandemic has eroded the support program landscape as a special needs mom, attorney, and author. It's time we discuss the dire statistics and what they mean for our loved ones. The scarcity of direct support professionals (DSPs) is at a critical point. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, we're pulling back the curtain on the harsh realities service providers are grappling...
info_outline 120: Embracing the New Year with Advocacy, Empowerment, and SupportParenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
As the clock struck midnight, marking the start of a new year, Annette found herself immersed in a flood of memories and significant events. On this episode of Parenting Impossible, carrying the weight of sorrow from the loss of her beloved daughter Elizabeth but strengthened by ten years of affection and the development of the Special Needs Law Group, Annette extends an invitation to you to partake in a personal journey of transformation and the intricate process of decision-making that defines our lives. Annette shares a cherished story from her childhood, in which setting a butterfly free...
info_outline 119: Embracing a Sabbatical Year: Reflections on Change, Growth, and Finding True JoyParenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Sometimes, it’s essential to step back and assess the path we're on - that's exactly what I did this year. After years of fighting the impacts of a global crisis on both my personal and professional life, I made the radical decision to take a sabbatical year. A year to disconnect from “extracurriculars” and focus on my business, my team, and myself. A year to reflect on what truly brings me joy, and rediscover the activities and people I truly missed. Join me as I recount the unanticipated benefits of this self-imposed sabbatical. Listen to how I navigated the process of refocusing...
info_outline Advocating for Universal Changing Tables: Changing Spaces CampaignParenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Ever felt the pangs of frustration trying to navigate public spaces with a disability or care for someone who does? This frustration fueled the journey of an extraordinary parent advocating for change, Jayme Betts who serves as the . She shares an illuminating exploration of her mission to make public spaces more accessible for people with disabilities, inspired by her own experiences with her daughter, Sophia, who has Soto Syndrome. Jayme’s story is one of determination and resilience, as she used her personal struggle to fuel her advocacy for universally accessible changing...
info_outline Housing for Adults with Disabilities: Shared Living SolutionsParenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
What's one of the biggest issues most special needs families worry about? Housing. This episode unlocks the complexities of the intricate world of housing for those with some form of intellectual or developmental disability or (IDD) with the help of special guest, , founder and CEO of . Tune in to discover how Partners4Housing is changing the lives of families in Washington state by empowering families to create housing solutions that meet the unique needs of their loved ones with IDD and create a real solution for the future. Hear about 's unique roommate matching pool...
info_outline The Power of a Picture: Special Needs PortraitureParenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
What happens when a mother’s fierce love for her special needs child intertwines with her passion for photography? Magic! Join us on this heartwarming journey with , a dedicated mother, and an exceptional photographer, as she turns her struggles and triumphs navigating the healthcare system for her medically fragile son into a beacon of hope for other families. Marcie's inspiring story combines advocacy, photography, and parenting in a way that's as enlightening as it is moving. Can capturing the moment make a difference? Absolutely! Marcie, through her business - Sunschein Photography, is...
info_outline Transition Planning for a Special Needs Student: A Mom and Son's Successful JourneyParenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Could you imagine being a mom and an Assistive Technology Specialist, honeycombing through multiple strategies to craft tools that best support your special needs child? Well, meet Cheryl Farley. A passionate mother and a specialist who's spent years perfecting this very craft. She's graced us with her story, detailing the educational journey of her son, Liam, and the unique challenges they faced in his smaller classroom setting. Listen in as she shares the creative routes they took to find job opportunities for Liam, and the delicate balance they needed to maintain - allowing him to tackle...
info_outline National Suicide Prevention Month: The Healing Power of KindnessParenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
The intensity of grief can feel like an insurmountable mountain. A profound loss, the passing of beloved daughter, Elizabeth, led her down a path of unimaginable pain, reshaping her identity as a mother and her life. Through the waves of grief, Annette discovered a lifeline in a local grief group, offering a haven where she could share, cry, and heal. This episode serves as an open invitation to join in Annette's journey of remembrance, honoring , and emphasizing how simple acts of kindness can make a world of difference. We all have a role to play in suicide prevention. It's about staying...
info_outline Demystifying Sensory Processing Disorder: Tips to Help from HarklaParenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Are you ready to uncover the mysteries of Sensory Processing Disorder? We're elated to have certified occupational therapist assistants, Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill, founders of , on our show today. These remarkable women have recently become Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists, demonstrating their relentless pursuit of knowledge in the field of primitive reflexes. They're here to share insightful perspectives on what it means to be a COTA (Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant) and the significance of a synchronized treatment team. Pull up a chair as shed light on...
info_outline Growing Up as a Special Needs SiblingParenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Have you ever wondered about the unique life experiences of siblings of special needs children? We promise to enlighten you on this rarely discussed topic, as we welcome two individuals who've lived this reality -- , a senior attorney at the Disability Law Center in Boston, and , a special needs financial planning specialist. Through a candid conversation, they share their personal journeys growing up alongside a special needs sibling, deciphering the balance of their own needs with those of their sibling, and the importance of a robust support network. This is a re-release of one of our...
info_outline2020 has been a year of great challenges and loss. However, with the hope of 2021, we can make this new year the best year yet.
We’ve learned a lot about ourselves over the past year, and if we use the knowledge we’ve gained moving forward, we can prioritize wellness in a way that allows us to create safe places at work and at home, even when we are struggling.
In this episode of “Parenting Impossible,” Annette is joined by the Executive Director of Gracepoint Foundation, Ian Adair. Ian is also the author of Stronger Than Stigma, A Call To Action: Stories of Grief, Loss, and Inspiration!, a book that shares stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that helps people connect and break down stigmas behind mental health, wellness and more.
As someone who watched his family members face addiction and suicide attempts and faced his own anxiety and depression, he brings a first-hand perspective to the topic of mental health.
As we’ve adapted to the “new normal” of 2020, we’ve seen mental health get pushed to the side.
Fast Company Magazine noted that 37% of survey participants reported working longer hours in the past year. We are still seeing anxiety, depression, and suicide – Annette notes that there have been, “a lot of lonely deaths this year.” Caregivers, parents, health care workers, and more are feeling the weight of burnout.
With all of this negative, how can we flip the conversation?
First of all, Ian believes that the meaning of leadership at work needs to change from managing work to also managing the people to ensure their wellbeing.
Secondly, he believes that as a society, we need to promote the inclusion, awareness and support of people with mental illness. We also need to provide flexibility for people who need time to receive care.
Overall, Ian says, “If you can be anything, just be kind.”
For more information about breaking down stigmas around mental health and mental illness or hitting “reset” in 2021, follow Ian on Twitter and Instagram. You can also follow along with the Gracepoint Foundation on their website or Facebook page.
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.