The negative impacts of the pandemic have been talked about over and over for the past year. Let’s talk about the positives, the good things that the pandemic has brought us. In this episode Annette discusses the three positive lessons she has learned from the pandemic. The three positive changes that have happened: 1 – Observation, 2 – Collaboration, and 3 – Innovation.
Annette starts off the episode with a mini review as to what this podcast is all about, why she created it. Annette says, “I started this podcast as a way to connect and bring information to the community.” Years ago, as a single parent raising 2 daughters, Annette faced many challenges and struggles. Her daughter Elizabeth, who would have been 25 years old May 31, was profoundly disabled due to mitochondrial disease. Annette found it hard to get the supports needed as well as information. The internet back then was not what it is today.
Elizabeth passed away 7 and a half years ago and Annette felt she needed to do more. She wanted to help the community get even more information, to help other parents, families, and disabled individuals. She wrote a book about her experiences raising her daughter Elizabeth Butterflies and Second Chances: A Mom’s Memoir of Love and Loss, she blogged, she wrote articles for various publications and then the podcast was born. The podcast has become a tool to bring even more information to everyone all over the world.
Positive Lessons From the Pandemic
Annette then discusses the three positive lessons learned from the pandemic. Number one is “OBSERVATION”. Through the magic of Zoom, the window to the world, we have been able to observe classroom learning and exercises in both school and adult services and programs. This has allowed us to view where things are going well and not so well as well as the response level of our loved one to the programs and classes.
Lesson number two is “COLLABORATION”. We now have access to teachers, administrators, directors and staff for schools and programs. Everyone that is working with and caring for our loved ones. We have the opportunity to be an equal member of our loved one’s “team” and work with them one on one.
Lesson number three is “INNOVATION”. We’ve grown tired of the same old services that have been offered for so many years. Now, we have seen so many exciting things happen and so many new processes that were created and are working. We don’t have to go back to the same old way we were doing things. Annette wants to give everyone a little seed of encouragement, “think creatively and get together with the other stakeholders in your communities”. Go over the data collected in your observation and collaborations. Take a look at rebuilding adult programs and school programs. They do not have to go back to the way they were.
More Information/Topics
For information on other topics, please also check out Special Needs Companies. For legal advice, inspiration and other resources, visit our blog here. Similarly, you can always listen to previous podcast episodes (and be sure to leave us a review), or download our free eBook here. We are always looking for podcast guests as well so please let us know if you or someone you know, has a special needs or disability topic you would like to speak about – Contact Us!
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Listen to the full episode here!
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.