Episode 128: Living With Sorrow & Joy This Holiday with Annette Hines
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Release Date: 11/17/2021
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 224: 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 223: 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_outlineThe holiday season can be a stressful time if you have lost a child or a loved one. As we have seen over the past 2 years now, it can be stressful also when our loved ones are still with us but due to the pandemic and closures and rule changes, we may be separated and not have access to see them or be with them. In this podcast episode, Annette gives us her tips on how to thrive this holiday season and how to survive the holiday with both sorrow and joy in your heart.
Annette begins by saying how she feels the world seems so much more unsettled in 2021 than it did in 2020 during the main part of the pandemic. People seemed so much nicer, more forgiving and accepting in 2020. In 2021 it seems tempers are flaring, people are angrier, they are lashing out. We are seeing higher expenses, staff shortages and people are struggling to access goods and services. There appears to be so much anxiety and frustration out there it is hard for people to relax and find balance and peace.
Annette recently attended a business coaching meeting where they had a monk as a guest speaker. He mentioned something that resonated with her – how the human heart is amazing that is can hold both sorrow and joy at the same time. People today are out of balance, they can’t recognize they hold both sorrow and joy. So many are unhappy that things are not going back to the way they were. We need to accept the sorrow of the past and embrace the joy of today and what is to come. Once we get to this point, we can be at peace.
Annette’s mentions her 4 tips to thrive this holiday season:
- Food: have a great meal, eat your favorite foods, start new food traditions. If your loved one is still with us, take them out to dinner or lunch or pack a meal of their favorite foods and take it to them
- Decorate: decorate a room or a special place and add things that remind you of your loved one. If you are able to visit a loved one that is still with us, take decorations to share with them.
- People: celebrate the people you love, the ones that are here as well as the ones you have lost. If you are able to, bring the celebration to your loved ones.
- Tell Your Story: this is Annette’s biggest and best tip, talk about your loved one, share stories, share your experiences with them. You do not have to have a blog or a podcast or even write a book, just share your stories with your friends and family.
- Bonus Tip – Take Care of Yourself: practic
Have you been searching for a law firm that understands the unique challenges of your family? We can help you at Special Needs Law Group put legal planning in place to protect you and your loved ones now and in the future. Book a free call today with our team or contact us via our website: specialneeds-law.com/contact.