250: The Sound of Success: Breakthroughs in Music Education & Disability Support| Annie Ray, Annandale High School Orchestra Director, Performing Arts Department Chair, & GRAMMY Winner
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Release Date: 09/26/2024
258: A Guide to Trustee Selection & Protectors
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Special needs trusts are an essential tool for families who want to ensure the long-term financial security of their loved ones with disabilities. However, I know firsthand how overwhelming and confusing navigating the world of trusts can be. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, I break down the essentials of special needs trusts in an accessible way. I share practical tips for choosing the right trustee and explain their responsibilities. Trustee’s are important—not just in managing the trust, but in making sure the beneficiary continues to receive the care and services they need. My...
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257: Why Caregiving Moms Deserve Community & Care | Jessica Patay, Author, Founder, & Executive Director at We Are Brave Together
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Being a caregiver can be tough and sometimes lonely. For caregiving moms, having a sense of community and connection is essential. Whether it's sharing tips on managing hectic schedules or simply lending an empathetic ear, having a supportive network of fellow moms can make all the difference in navigating the challenges of motherhood. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Annette Hines sits down with Jessica Patay, founder of We Are Brave Together. Inspired by her journey as a special needs mom, Jessica established the nonprofit in 2017 to create a safe, judgment-free space where...
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256: How to Support Children in Times of Crisis | Celia Landman, Author, Nonviolent Communication Trainer, Mindfulness Educator & Counselor
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Parents often carry a heavy weight of shame and self-blame when their children face tough times. It's natural for them to feel responsible, but it's important to remember that not everything is within a parent’s control. By staying present and connecting with themselves, parents can let go of the burden of shame and find a more positive, hopeful way forward. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Annette Hines sits down with Celia Landman, a mindfulness educator and author of When the Whole World Tips: Parenting through Crisis with Mindfulness and Balance. They share an honest and...
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255: All About Trustees: Navigating the Ins & Outs of Special Needs Trust Administration
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Understanding the administration of special needs trusts can make a world of difference for people with disabilities, providing them with financial stability and peace of mind. These trusts—like third-party and first-party trusts—come with specific rules that trustees must follow to ensure the beneficiary can keep accessing essential public benefits. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, I talk about the importance of building a solid relationship between trustees and beneficiaries. Understanding the basics of trust administration is valuable for everyone—not just those currently...
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254: Prioritizing Mental Well-being in the Modern Era | Lauren Perna, Writer, Speaker, & Advocate
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
For longtime listeners, it’s clear this podcast covers a wide range of topics—from family discussions about kids to conversations on adult disabilities. This conversation focuses on the challenges of balancing health and work while living with a chronic illness. Practices like meditation, journaling, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are powerful tools for managing mental health, offering ways to create a more stable and fulfilling life despite these ongoing challenges. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Annette Hines talks with Lauren Perna, leader of the Boston chapter of the...
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253: Finding Balance: The Dance of Advocacy & Parenting | Joanne De Simone, Author & Advocate
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Parenting is a rewarding journey filled with love, laughter, and joy. However, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. From sleepless nights to tantrums in the grocery store, every parent faces obstacles along the way. But what happens when those challenges are compounded by raising a child with disabilities? In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Annette Hines speaks with Joanne De Simone, a special education advocate, and author of “Fall and Recovery: Raising Children with Disabilities through Lessons Learned in Dance”, about the challenges of raising a child with disabilities...
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252:Empowering Parents with Practical Tips for Raising Deaf Kids | Alaine Jacobs, Founder & Advocate
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Parenting a child with hearing loss comes with its own unique challenges and families may find themselves grappling with isolation and communication barriers. In these moments, community support and shared knowledge can make a world of difference. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Annette Hines welcomes Alaine Jacobs, a passionate advocate for the deaf community. Drawing from her personal experience as a parent, Alaine guides and supports others facing similar challenges. With a background in education, she helps families navigate both medical and educational systems, offering practical...
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251: Breath by Breath: How We Do It | Jessica Fein, Author, Podcast Host, & Speaker
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
The journey of caring for a child with disabilities is a tumultuous emotional ride. There are highs celebrating achievements and lows during setbacks. It's important to recognize those feelings and find healthy ways to cope along the way. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Annette Hines chats with Jessica Fein, author of Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes and host of the I Don't Know How You Do It podcast. Jessica opens up about her journey parenting a child with MERRF syndrome, an ultra-rare degenerative disease, and emphasizes the importance of visibility for...
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250: The Sound of Success: Breakthroughs in Music Education & Disability Support| Annie Ray, Annandale High School Orchestra Director, Performing Arts Department Chair, & GRAMMY Winner
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Music has a way of connecting people, transcending language barriers, and healing the soul. The discipline and dedication required to master an instrument can translate into valuable life skills that go beyond the music classroom. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Annette Hines spoke with Annie Ray, the founder of the Crescendo Orchestra program, a music class tailored for students with significant disabilities, and Parent Orchestra, which invites parents to join their children in learning music, fostering a vibrant community, and encouraging parental involvement in their kids'...
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249: Changing the Narrative on Disabilities in Kenyan Society | Thitu Muiruri, Filmmaker, Writer, & Director
Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast
Disability is a topic often surrounded by stigma and misconceptions, particularly within Kenyan communities, where the burden can become a significant financial strain on families. In Kenya, parents of children with disabilities face not only a lack of acceptance and support but also the heavy weight of stigma, which exacerbates their struggles. In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Annette Hines and Thitu Muiruri, an accomplished filmmaker, sheds light on the pervasive stigma surrounding disabilities in African communities. Muiruri's documentary work delves into the struggles...
info_outlineMusic has a way of connecting people, transcending language barriers, and healing the soul. The discipline and dedication required to master an instrument can translate into valuable life skills that go beyond the music classroom.
In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Annette Hines spoke with Annie Ray, the founder of the Crescendo Orchestra program, a music class tailored for students with significant disabilities, and Parent Orchestra, which invites parents to join their children in learning music, fostering a vibrant community, and encouraging parental involvement in their kids' musical journeys. Annie passionately advocates for music education as a core subject, emphasizing the need to meet students where they are and tailor instruction to their unique needs. Her approach showcases music’s profound impact on students, transcending mere notes and rhythms. The Crescendo Orchestra program is a shining example of how music can transform the lives of young students, providing them with a sense of community, purpose, and hope for the future.
In this episode, you will hear:
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Why emphasizing a student-centered approach fosters a joyful space for musical exploration without fear of judgment.
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Ways the Parent Orchestra program has built a vibrant community of over 200 parents on a shared learning journey.
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How music education sharpens cognitive abilities and instills resilience, helping students navigate challenges and embrace imperfections.
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Ways fellow educators can launch inclusive music programs, advocating for equal access to the transformative power of music education.
Resources from this Episode:
Watch Annie’s TEDx Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/annie_ray_the_sound_of_sucess
Learn More About Annie’s Program and GRAMMY win - Annie Ray: Music Educator
Learn More about the Parent Orchestra - It's Never Too Late: Parent Orchestra Teaches New Skills and Brings Families Closer
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Join our community: Circle of Care
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Twitter: @SpecialNeedsCo
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