Navigating the unknown waters of parenting a child with autism can feel like being adrift without a compass. In this dynamic conversation, we had the privilege of speaking with Joya Vandalan, a mother of three and a family nurse practitioner, who found her North Star in the midst of her own experiences raising a child with autism. Joya not only breathes life into the challenges she faced as a first-time mother and healthcare professional, but also shares her journey of creating Autsim Game Plan ...
Aug 22, 2023•51 min
Knowing where to start with estate and special needs planning can be an intimidating task. However, don't be daunted, because this episode is your lifeline to understanding and managing this process effectively. Host Annette Hines describes the types of life planning she does for clients -- estate planning, guardianships and legal authorities, and advocacy and public benefits. Plus, she shares insightful tips on seeking the right professionals who can help steer your journey and provide the supp...
Aug 17, 2023•28 min
Navigating the back-to-school season can be a significant challenge, especially if your loved one is living with disabilities. As a mother of a profoundly disabled daughter, Elizabeth, Host Annette Hines has learned that preparation is everything. From creating checklists to setting achievable goals, we explore how to keep things in order, ensuring a smooth transition. This episode shares the story of Annette's journey and how it led her to become an advocate for the disability community. The se...
Aug 09, 2023•37 min
This episode is a re-release of a previous episode that aired in May 2020 in remembrance of Annette Hines' daughter Elizabeth who passed away from mitochondrial disease in 2013. Hines reflects on the heartwarming and sometimes heart-wrenching journey of being a special needs parent that involves joy, silver linings found in loss, and the challenges of moving on. Reflecting the start of the Parenting Impossible podcasting, Hines shares her enlightening conversation on Sydney Weiss's Seek the Joy ...
Aug 08, 2023•22 min
Hold your breath as you plunge into an awe-inspiring journey with Raja Marhaba, Special Education Advocate, Author (UNSTOPPABLE), and Founder of The Jonathan Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities . Embark on a monumental David and Goliath journey that showcases a mother's determination in the face of adversity. Raja's struggles with a broken special education system and her relentless pursuit of justice for her children are nothing short of extraordinary. Hear her riveting story as ...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 4 min
As a broadcaster, radio host, and digital media veteran, Tamara Taggart is no stranger to the spotlight. But it's her role as a mother and advocate for her son Beckett, diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth, that propels this episode into an insightful and heartfelt journey. Tamara candidly shares the battles she's faced, from the negativity of medical professionals to fighting for Beckett's education in a system not designed to accommodate his needs. This story of resilience, love, and the powe...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 79
Celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we're taking a deep look into ableism and its effects on disability rights. Host Annette Hines is joined in this conversation by Peter Morin , an attorney from the Special Needs Law Group who is committed to providing a voice for the vulnerable and ensuring they receive the essential services they need. By battling the discrimination that stems from the misguided notion that individuals with disabilities are inherently infe...
Jul 25, 2023•53 min
Who doesn't seek the comfort of familiar surroundings when dealing with life’s complex challenges? This sentiment rang true for Host Annette Hines during this heart-to-heart with Jessica Guzman, an extraordinary ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) therapist and behavioral consultant. They unravel the profound sense of solace found in the natural environment and Annette's own personal experiences with her late daughter, Elizabeth. They delve into the thrilling world of ABA therapy in autism, offeri...
Jul 25, 2023•55 min
Have you ever wondered how a powerful support system can change the life of someone with a disability? Join Host Annette Hines in this passionate conversation with Susan Kahn , the brains behind Sue's Strategies , as we take a deep-dive into the significance of community for those navigating life with disabilities. They explore the trials and tribulations of Annette's personal journey within this community, and share her mission to empower, engage and educate others . Susan Kahn, a revolutionary...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Do you know what to do with your estate planning documents? Are you sure your assets will be distributed as per your desires? Join Host Annette Hines , and her husband and law partner, Mark Worthington , as they reveal the complex and often bewildering realm of estate planning, focusing especially on how to adequately fund your estate plan. They will decode the impact of trusts, wills, and other documents on diverse types of assets, highlighting the paramount importance of arranging ownership an...
Jul 13, 2023•40 min
Are you ready to untangle the complexities of transition planning and become an effective advocate for your disabled person? Host Annette Hines , founder of Special Needs Law Group and Special Needs Family Services brings you an episode that can be a beacon to guide you through the maze of supports and resource systems. Whether you're a young disabled person stepping into adulthood, a caregiver stepping in for a sibling, or a professional wanting to offer the best for your clients, this episode ...
Jul 05, 2023•42 min
Host Annette Hines begins the episode with a reminder that even though summer just started for many of us, for parents with school-age kids, it’s time to start thinking about returning to school. She recommends that parents dust off that IEP and review it for needed changes for the upcoming school year. If you have a high school student with disabilities, Hines’ Special Needs Academy course, Special Needs Advocacy and Planning is a must! It includes detailed guidance on how to help prepare a stu...
Jun 29, 2023•35 min
Host Annette Hines of Parenting Impossible welcomes Lisa Candera, The Autism Mom Coach in a discussion about the burnout cycle and how she helps coach parents to get out of this cycle to live healthier. She calls her one-on-one coaching program, "Be the Solid Object," which she explains is "specifically designed for Type A mothers raising children with ASD." Candera works in one-hour Zoom coaching sessions during which she helps her clients engage in self-examination and radical acts of self-lov...
Jun 22, 2023•50 min
In this episode, Host Annette Hines speaks with Author Meg Zucker. They discuss empowering children with differences and disabilities. By embracing inclusivity, we not only create a brighter future for these children but also foster a society that is compassionate, understanding, and truly representative of the diversity of humanity. More about Meg Zucker: She’s an accomplished attorney and prominent figure in the field of anti-money laundering and financial crimes on Wall Street, holds degrees ...
Jun 14, 2023•46 min
Join Host Annette Hines in this episode as she addresses two common questions that have been on the minds of her listeners. The first question focuses on the milestones in a special needs child's life, while the second question explores the steps parents can take to prepare for summer programs catering to their child's unique needs. Annette emphasizes that the timeline for milestones varies for each child and family, and it's essential not to compare your child's progress to others. Instead, she...
Jun 07, 2023•34 min
We're re-releasing a previous podcast episode from June 2021 that features an interview with Él Martinez and their mother, Ivylee Martinez , regarding gender identity issues in celebratration of LGBTQ+ Pride month in June. Pride Month is a time to recognize the issues, challenges, and discrimination the LGBTQ+ community has faced and to celebrate the triumphs. Host Annette Hines and Él discuss the use of pronouns, labels, and terminology in both the LGBTQ+ community and in the disability communi...
Jun 01, 2023•58 min
In this episode, Host Annette Hines honors the legacies of Boston Marathon competitor Rick Hoyt and her daughter, Elizabeth, through a tribute to author and previous Parenting Impossible guest, Jess Ronne , and her use of the word "grit" to mean a will to persevere amidst the challenges of living as a special needs family. Rick Hoyt and his father, Dick Hoyt, showed continual grit as Team Hoyt as they entered as dual Boston Marathon participants for the first time in 2012 with Dick pushing Rick ...
May 24, 2023•20 min
In this episode, Host Annette Hines welcomes guest Anna Maki, Director of Benefits Navigation at the Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) in Atlanta, GA. She is a clinical counselor and benefits expert with a wealth of knowledge and experience in helping individuals and families with disabilities navigate the complex world of benefits. With a strong educational background and a track record of success, Anna developed the Benefits Navigation program and has positively impacted the lives of over 1,200 famil...
May 18, 2023•54 min
In this episode, Host Annette Hines has a great conversation with Anthony (Tony) Delauney about how to have family financial conversations and teach kids early about how to use money wisely. Anthony is a financial advisor, franchise business owner, and author of several financial education books, including three in the Owning the Dash series. His books include Applying the Mindset of a Fitness Master to the Art of Family Financial Planning (2019), The No-Regrets Retirement Roadmap (2021), and ch...
May 04, 2023•56 min
In this episode, Host Annette Hines speaks with Josh Fields, CEO and Co-Founder of The Next Step Programs (TNS) headquartered in Doylestown, PA. TNS is a nonprofit organization breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people with disabilities as they transition out of high school into a world of employment. Josh is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the nonprofit and disability industry. He is a strong community advocate and social services professional ...
Apr 20, 2023•49 min
Host Annette Hines starts the podcast honoring Holy Week and the celebration of Easter and Christ's resurrection. During the interview, she speaks with Wellness and Small Business Coach Sudi Barre who shares her experience of being diagnosed with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) and suffering a massive heart attack and open heart surgery immediately after delivering her child. Through managing her chronic illness, Sudi has become an expert in barriers to access to health care for mi...
Apr 06, 2023•47 min
In this episode, Host Annette Hines welcomes back Author Jess Ronne to the show to discuss her newest book, Lovin’ with Grit and Grace that was just released in February. Jessica Ronne is an author, speaker, podcast host of Coffee with Caregivers, associate producer of the “UNSEEN” documentary, and caregiver advocate. She is founder and executive director of The Lucas Project, a non-profit dedicated to serving parent caregivers with recognition, respite, and resources. Jess and her husband Ryan ...
Mar 22, 2023•44 min
It is tax time and we want to revisit a popular episode! Learn from Host Annette Hines and her favorite guest, law partner, and husband, Mark Worthington about answers to four top questions people ask about tax preparation and tax reporting: Can I claim my adult child as a dependent? If I charge my adult child room and board when they are living with me, is that taxable income to me? And how does this impact their Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? Taxation of special needs trusts and SECURE (S...
Mar 15, 2023•59 min
In this episode as we celebrate Women's History Month in March, Host Annette Hines talked with Danielle Sullivan - the founder of Neurodiverging Coaching , an online, sliding scale coaching practice supporting a worldwide, diverse clientele with issues related to neurodiversity, ADHD, autism, and executive functioning for adults and families. In this episode, Danielle shared parenting techniques especially for neurodivergent families. Her organization's mission is to help neurodivergent folks fi...
Mar 09, 2023•46 min
This episode commemorates International Rare Disease Day which occurs on last day of February annually. This day is dedicated to raising awareness for the approximately 300 million people around the world living with a rare disease. Host Annette Hines recognizes this day in memory of her daughter, Elizabeth who died in 2013 because of mitochondrial disease - a rare or orphan disease. Moreover, every February is a month that Hines reminds caregivers and families of disabled loved ones to care for...
Mar 01, 2023•21 min
In this episode, Laura Hernandez and Host Annette Hines discuss the life of a mom and how to reduce the workload and run the home smoothly by applying the organization strategies that Laura developed through her agency, Mama Systems . As a mother of ten, Laura developed these techniques to ensure that her family could have a more peaceful lifestyle. In just five years, she and her husband had six children - three biological and three through adoption. Incredibly Laura manages 20+ appointments a ...
Feb 24, 2023•42 min
In this episode, Host Annette Hines speaks with Lois Letchford. Lois is an educator, writer, and public speaker. When Lois was 39 years old, while she was faced with teaching her son Nicholas how to read, she discovered she had dyslexia. She modified and changed classes as a result of reflecting on her son's reading failures. Now Lois serves as a reading specialist and tutor and helps other struggling students by utilizing her unconventional background, extensive international experience, and de...
Feb 17, 2023•49 min
In this episode, Host Annette Hines talks with Dr. Bibi Pirayesh an educational therapist and Founder of One of One Kids. She holds a Bachelor's in Neuroscience and Education from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master's in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University, focusing on children's development and cognitive neuroscience. She has over a decade of experience as a learning specialist and educational therapist in private practice. The scholarship, research interests, and advocacy w...
Feb 08, 2023•52 min
In this episode, we are joined by an author living with a type of autism known as Asperger’s Syndrome, Matthew Kenslow . His journey through life, learning about everyone and everything around him through both compliments and teases, has been an adventure. His goal is to demonstrate to others how autistic people perceive the world in a different way from the rest of the world. In this episode, Host Annette Hines and Matthew talked about how Matthew handled socialization from grade school until c...
Feb 02, 2023•34 min
Host Annette Hines welcomes guest Eric Jorgensen of True North Disability Planning whose life mission is to change the reality of the fact that: "It is too hard for the average person to find out what they qualify for, and reach out and get those benefits in place." His roadmaps are downloadable resources for print and online use that are specific to each state to help people build momentum in gaining access to benefit programs and supports. They include links the the specific Medicaid programs ...
Jan 26, 2023•53 min
