Like most parents and caregivers, Laura Castillo had never heard of the rare neurological condition, 5 Minus P, until her daughter, Katie, was diagnosed with it. The news from the doctor overwhelmed her at first, but since then, Laura has gone on to become a fierce advocate for people and families living with the syndrome, serving for many years as the Executive Director of the 5P Minus Society. She joins our hosts to talk about how that diagnosis fundamentally changed not just her life, but her family’s and all of those around her.

In episode 22, Mark and Sara talk to Daniel Garcia, a blind ABLE account holder. Daniel discusses how he used his ABLE account to save up and buy a house.

In episode 21, we have Shaun Snyder, CEO of the National Association of State Treasurers, discussing the importance of financial education and the role of NAST and ABLE Accounts. Shaun shares insights on leadership, relationships, and his efforts to promote ABLE accounts through free legal education.

Senator Schmitt recently sat down with our hosts Mark and Sara to talk about how his family’s experience pushed him to become a disability advocate and a legislative champion for ABLE accounts.

When his infant son, Stephen, was diagnosed with a rare condition, Tuberous Sclerosis, Schmitt was a partner in a law firm, married and leading a great life, but Stephen’s diagnosis made him realize that, as he puts it, “that was something more I should be doing.” And for Schmitt that meant running for public office.

Part 2 of our living history with the unstoppable Sandy Swift Parrino and how the Disabilities Act ♿ (ADA) came to be. Through Sandy’s leadership as Chair of the National Council on Disability [IG @ncdgov] (NCD), the group had written the report, “Toward Independence,” which Sandy describes as the “birth of the ADA,” and had a meeting in 1986 with then Vice President George H.W. Bush. Suddenly NCD was on the map and players!

In this two part episode, Mark and Sara get in depth with Sandy Swift Parrino, founder of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ♿. As a parent with a disabled child, Sandy was already very familiar with the frustrations and senseless roadblocks thrown up by the government when President Ronald Reagan appointed her to the National Council on the Handicapped (now the NCD). It was 1981 and the ADA wasn’t even a dream yet, and Sandy and her fellow council members were given only a small room in a federal building’s name.

In episode 18, Mark and Sara chat with Lindsey Zurbrugg and Becca Murray – two outstanding players on the US 🇺🇸 Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team who will be competing in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris this year.

In episode 17, mark and Sara have a great conversation with Mary McDirmid. Growing up with a dad, who had Parkinson’s, Mary was already familiar with caretaking, but when her daughter Ruth was born, she decided to become a Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®) to have a better understanding of her family’s needs and also help other families. And she started a firm, All Needs Planning to work with these families, so, as she puts it, “Give our kids an amazing life and if they’re on benefits, keep those benefits and keep them benefits eligible.”

Investment Advisory Services offered through Sound Income Strategies, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm. All Needs Planning and Sound Income Strategies, LLC are not associated entities.