Parenting Impossible – The Special Needs Survival Podcast

In this episode of Parenting Impossible, host Annette Hines and Employment Law Attorney Rebecca Pontikes discuss the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and how to access different benefits you may be entitled to as a caregiver. Pontikes is the founder of Pontikes Law, LLC and represents employees in all areas of employment law. She specializes in gender and family responsibility (caregiver) discrimination, sexual harassment, negotiation of employment contracts and separation agreements, non-competition agreements, retaliation and whistle-blower claims (in all sectors, including the government and financial sectors), violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, and violations of the wage statutes. Annette and Rebecca begin the show with an explanation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The act requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. There are six general reasons an employee may qualify for paid sick time if they are unable to work: You are subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19. You have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19.

• You are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and are seeking a medical diagnosis.
• You are caring for an individual that has been ordered to self-quarantine.
• You are caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed for reasons related to COVID-19.
• You are experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Treasury.

Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for expanded family leave if the employee is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed for reasons related to COVID-19. However, as Annette and Rebecca discuss, employees taking leave as a caregiver are only entitled to be paid 2/3 their regular rate. Annette and Rebecca also break down the difference between furloughs and layoffs and how to access certain benefits you may be entitled to like vacation days, healthcare and unemployment. 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.

Is our education system supporting the needs of kids with disabilities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic? That's the question host Annette Hines, Psychologist Allison Brooks, and Special Education teacher Megan Parker discuss during Episode 64 of Parenting Impossible. Allison Brooks is a psychologist working in the Seattle Washington area. She has an extensive history speaking about topics such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), Autism, educational advocacy, motivation for middle schoolers, ADHD, and anxiety. Brooks has also served on state advisory councils for autism, FAS, and school refusal. Megan Parker is a Special Needs teacher working in Florida; a state that's currently embattled in a controversy over how to handle the 2020 school year. This week, some districts started in-class learning despite a lawsuit filed by the Florida Education Association to delay classroom learning. 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.

In this edition of Parenting Impossible, Annette and her husband Mark Worthington discuss what you need to consider during the divorce process as a parent of a special needs child. Mark is Senior Counsel at Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts and is a Professor of Law at Western New England University School of Law. He has also been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list every year since 2008. Annette and Mark begin the show with a conversation about the increased number of people filing for divorce during the pandemic. The rise comes as more people have been forced to spend extended periods of time quarantined together. While divorce is a stressful process in general, it comes with an additional set of challenges for couples with special needs children. Annette begins with her advice on creating a trust for child support. While she acknowledges each situation is different, she generally believes most cases do not require one for children under the age of 18. Once the child becomes an adult, a new plan must be put in place. Annette and Mark also share their thoughts on the importance of planning for the future. That includes figuring out what will change once your special needs child becomes an adult, health insurance options, and estate planning. The couple breaks down some of the options that are available and why it's so important to lay them out during the divorce process. 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.

How do people with special needs get permission to come to the United States for specialized healthcare? In this week's episode of Parenting Impossible, host Annette Hines learns more about the complicated process from Immigration Attorney Linda Osberg-Braun. Ms.Osberg has served as the Deputy District Counsel for INS (now DHS) and was an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Southern District of Florida. She is known for her ability to solve complicated immigration problems and focuses on developing immigration solutions and comprehensive long term strategies for her clients. Annette and Linda dig into "public bar charge" and how it affects families seeking medical treatment and residency in the United States. The public charge concept was first established by Congress in 1882 to allow the government to deny a U.S. visa to anyone who is likely to become a "public charge" -- or use government-funded programs. Under the current administration, the "public charge rule" has been interpreted more broadly, which has redefined what makes someone dependent on government benefits. This essentially reduces the number of people who would be eligible for green cards and other visas. Ms.Osberg later explains the process families in need of specialized healthcare need to follow, and how they can obtain different types of visas in order to stay in the country legally and support themselves. This includes "humanitarian parole," which is a method used to bring someone into the United States for a temporary period of time due to a compelling emergency. This could include medical treatment for a family member with special needs. To contact Immigration Attorney Linda Osberg-Braun for advice on navigating this process, follow the link: https://www.osberglaw.com/ 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.

In this episode of Parenting Impossible, Host Annette Hines and her husband Mark Worthington discuss issues surrounding sending children back to school in the Fall. Annette addresses the additional challenges kids in the special needs community are facing during this transition period and shares her experience with distance learning.

"This pandemic has given us an opportunity to look at our educational system for all children with fresh eyes but particularly for our children with special needs," says Annnette. "Let's put all our preconceived notions aside about education, wipe the slate clean and start fresh. Here are only a few things to consider:

1. As the parent/caregiver, do you have the ability, desire, and time to create your own curriculum for your child?
2. As the parent/caregiver do you require special training that you don't yet have to teach or care for your child?
3. Has your child responded well to less social stimuli at home?
4. Has your child regressed without their peers?
5. Does your child have a low incidence disability such as blindness, deafness, etc?
6. Does your child require special equipment that you can only get at school such as a vision room or a standing frame?
7. Does your child have a medical condition that will make it too risky to return to a classroom without a vaccine or herd immunity?
8. What else needs consideration?

It costs a lot to educate our children in the system that we have. We may want to think through how we rebuild our special education system to be responsive to the educational needs of children and families and let's actually include families' voices this time. Secretary DeVos just announced that if schools were not going to reopen then she would hand out the money to families instead to educate their children. Well, why not? We could use it!"

Music therapy is subject near and dear to Parenting Impossible host Annette Hine's heart. In this episode, Roman Music Therapy Services Executive DIrector Meredith Roman Pizzi joins Annette for an in depth discussion on the difference music therapy can make in the special needs community.

Ms. Pizzi is a thought leader and passionate champion for the music therapy profession. She's devoted her career to developing business models for the delivery of music therapy services and is an advocate for music therapy on the systems level. Ms. Pizzi founded several music therapy organizations and programs, including Roman Music Therapy Services and Sprouting Melodies ®, an award-winning early childhood music program with worldwide reach. She also co-founded Raising Harmony, which trains music therapists, parents and early childhood professionals on use of music therapy strategies and tools with young children.

Roman Music Therapy Services partners with companies, healthcare organizations, human services agencies and schools to provide goal-driven wellness programming where music is used as a platform to facilitate positive change.

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.

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly changed almost every aspect of our lives. This includes how we work, socialize and learn. In Episode 59 of Parenting Impossible, Host Annette Hines and guest Dr. Ingrid Amorini-Klimek address what special needs education could look like in the future. Dr. Amorini-Klimek is a lifelong advocate for special needs families, the sister of a special needs brother, and has extensive experience as a special education teacher. For many years, she worked as an administrator for a large educational system but said, "Over time she became disappointed in the bureaucracy that failed to listen to the needs of the community." This led to the creation of her own special needs resource center, Our Special Village. She is also the founder and president of the non-profit organization, The Bocha Project, whose mission is to promote inclusive practices around the world. Annette and Dr. Ingrid begin the show with a discussion on how the pandemic has added extra stress for families who have a loved one with a disability. The doctor shares her brother's personal struggle with not wanting/understanding the importance of wearing a face mask. She worries his refusal to cover his face in public could result in a loss of privileges like traveling on a plane or being allowed inside public establishments. Next, the two special needs experts jump into how classes and programs will need to change to accommodate social distancing rules and safety procedures. They agree programs should not be structured as a "one size fits all" method, and instead need to be tailored to individuals. While some children have fallen behind during the lockdown, Dr. Ingrid shares her personal experience watching others thrive. Finally, Annette and Dr. Ingrid jump into a conversation about how the role of special needs parents will be different moving forward. After spending months working one-on-one with their children, parents have now become the experts. This shift will create a new dynamic between families, teachers, and administrators in the future. Annette believes the solution lies in everyone coming together and evaluating individual needs. "It's amazing what people are doing by joining forces and coming together." 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.

Certified Financial Planner Rob Wrubel joins Annette Hines all the way from Colorado Springs, Colorado for this episode of Parenting Impossible. Rob focuses on financial planning for families with special-needs members. It's a community familiar to him both professionally and personally. Rob is the father to three children, including his 17-year-old daughter Sarah who has Down Syndrome. He is also an author and has written books titled, "Financial Freedom for Special Needs Families," as well as "Protect Your Family, Life Insurance Basics For Social Needs Planning." Rob is getting ready to release a new book titled "Special Needs Trusts in 30 Days." During part 2 of Annette's interview with Rob, they focus on the topic of life transitions. It's a subject that's near and dear to Annette's heart and one she's extremely passionate about. Rob is a huge advocate of preparing for the many transition periods special needs families will navigate throughout their lives. "I wish I had a great answer; here's a list of things one through 12 and this is how it goes, but every family is so different," says Rob. Later, Rob and Annette get into a discussion about being proactive when it comes to planning for the future. While it's great to take in information and learn, it's even more crucial to take action according to Rob. " Take solid steps, have the building blocks in place and life will be better. Think about what you can do today, a month from now, or a year." Finally, Rob suggests making time for yourself. He recommends getting out a pen and paper and creating a list of what you really want out of life. He advises prioritizing those ideas and dividing them into areas like financial, family, and career goals. Rob also stresses the need to put together a great network of people who can help you along the way. "Take the time to say, this is my time, and these are the things I want to change." 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.

Certified Financial Planner Rob Wrubel joins Annette Hines all the way from Colorado Springs, Colorado for this episode of Parenting Impossible. Rob focuses on financial planning for families with special-needs members. It's a community familiar to him both professionally and personally. Rob is the father to three children, including his 17-year-old daughter Sarah who has Down Syndrome. He is also an author and has written books titled, "Financial Freedom for Special Needs Families," as well as "Protect Your Family, Life Insurance Basics For Social Needs Planning." Rob is getting ready to release a new book titled "Special Needs Trusts in 30 Days." During the show, Annette asks Rob to open up about his feelings surrounding the difference between the way mothers and fathers cope with the challenges that come with raising a special needs child. Rob shares the story of his daughter's birth and how the first year of her life came with a lot of emotional struggles. "The nurses were happy to see me, and I was a little surprised about why," recalls Rob. "I heard from them, that when kids are sick, Dad's often don't show up, they disappear." Annette and Rob also discuss what life is like for him as a divorced Dad with 50/50 custody. Rob admits that while he and his former wife have different opinions on topics like which therapies and interventions may be best, ultimately living separately has helped them work as a team. Rob follows the motto, "my household, your household," meaning they accept the fact they do things differently. Later, Annette and Rob dig into some of Rob's thoughts and fears about his daughter's future. "I try not to get bogged down with not being able to fix everything," says Rob. "I try not to exclude the possible." 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.

In our Father's Day edition of Parenting Impossible, The Autism Dad Rob Gorski and Annette discuss what it's like being a single Dad to three sons with autism and a well-known voice in the special needs community.

Rob's journey started when his son Gavin, now 20, was diagnosed with autism. Not knowing how to cope with the diagnosis, Rob started what he calls a "virtual diary" in 2010. This "virtual diary" or blog was a way to write what he was feeling, but he didn't really know how it worked or that people could find what he was sharing online. Every time he published a new article, it was a way of releasing his raw emotions and moving forward. According to Rob, his blogging began to evolve when he realized not only were his words helping himself but also others in similar situations.

During Annette and Rob's discussion, they address their thoughts about why Mothers tend to be more vocal in the special needs community. In fact, this episode is the first time Annette has interviewed a father of a special needs child. The Autism Dad also expresses why he's so passionate about sharing his journey with his sons. "The only way the world is going to understand what our kids need is by telling people. If we don't talk about it, there are only a few voices speaking for everyone."

Later in the podcast, the pair discuss a number of obstacles Rob has faced while raising his sons including divorce, fear, and facing his own mortality. "I realized someday I'm not going to be here to help," says Rob. "You go through a grieving process. You have your whole life planned out and all of sudden you're going through the unknown and don't know what to expect."

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.

The Autism Dad, Rob Gorski website https://www.theautismdad.com/