Department of Public Health Survey on Health Needs for People with Disabilities

Posted on May 20, 2013

This landed in my inbox. It took about 5 minutes to fill it out. Due date is May 31. Here are the details: Help influence health care in Massachusetts! The Health and Disability Program, part of Office of Health Equity at the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) is conducting a health...

Does Your Special Needs Child Really Need a Guardianship?

Posted on October 19, 2009

Last week I gave a presentation to Weymouth parents of special needs young adults, and from our conversation, it was clear that the school system was telling them that when a special needs child turns 18, the family must obtain a guardianship. As I’ve written elsewhere, this costs money, involves lawyers, and requires...

Helping an SSI Recipient (or Anyone) Manage Money

Posted on September 14, 2009

Do you help someone manage their money? Perhaps you are a representative payee on the Social Security checks of an SSI recipient? Or maybe you are the trustee of a special needs trust? Would the person whose money you manage – let’s call her the recipient – like to have some...

Thank You Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Posted on August 11, 2009

We learned this morning that Mrs. Shriver passed away over night. I love that all the stories today discuss that she was the founder of the Special Olympics. After all, mentioning the name "Kennedy" in your morning broadcast would be enough to catch the attention of commuters still in their morning fog. But they...

Always Keep Time & Expense Records When Helping Another

Posted on August 6, 2009

So many children, nieces and nephews, and good neighbors pitch in to do heavy lifting for an aging or disabled family member or friend. You may be running errands, cleaning out a basement, doing weekly grocery trips. We do these things on a volunteer basis, usually receiving just reimbursement for purchases made. And...

HBO’s The Alzheimer’s Project: Caregivers

Posted on May 18, 2009

This weekend I watched the film Caregivers (don’t you just love On Demand?). One theme that jumped out was the isolation that caregivers suffer. Several of the film’s stars (I think that’s a good name for them) talked about how very quietly the invitations to events and gatherings stopped. Not only does...

Write a Letter of Intent for Your Special Needs Child

Posted on February 23, 2009

So you’ve met with the lawyer and signed all the legal documents needed to ensure that your child will be properly cared for after you are gone. Congratulations, that’s an accomplishment to check off your list. But you’re not quite done. Sit down and write a “letter of intent” to the people you have...

Asperger’s Association of New England

Posted on December 3, 2008

Have you checked out the Asperger’s Association of New England? What a busy place. They provide services and support to teens, adults, family members, and educators and professionals. Are you a teen looking for a social network? Are you a parent seeking workshops on parenting and advocating in the schools? Are you looking...