Planning for Special Needs Families

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Last week, I had the honor to speak as a panelist on : Planning for Special Needs Families at Alliance Bernstein’s Los Angeles office.

I joined Jim Huyck, Consultant and Advocate, Karen Park, Principal at Bernstein and Andrea Ross, Vice President / Director at Bernstein who touched on important needs for families like mine : setting up a specific and structured special needs trust, utilizing the resources and government programs through the state / regional centers and also having a specialized financial plan in place to accommodate our child’s various needs.

I, on the other hand, talked about the importance of our own health and wellness, as special needs parents. I shared my story about raising Arizona and hitting rock bottom in my own life : suffering from depression, anxiety and an overwhelming sense of unhappiness. And then, one day, having the epiphany that my child didn’t need “fixing” – and neither did I.

Yes, we can be happy again. We can feel connected to our purpose. We can feel whole and complete. I am committed to living a thriving life with my child, no matter the circumstance.

And so it is!