Able Transition: Dreams Fulfilled

Today we have an amazing guest who is a Special Needs Financial Planner and a sister to 3 amazing women with Down Syndrome. Learn more about Elizabeth Larson below!My goal each day is to help people make smart choices about their money,empowering them to pursue their unique goals by first defining the valuesupon which they are based. With a holistic approach, and using Values-BasedFinancial Planning, I help my clients identify what is important about money tothem. This includes providing Special Needs Planning services to families andorganizations that serve people with special needs.Since childhood, I have watched my parents live their mission, “blessed to bea blessing,” and my goal is to carry that mission forward. Having a largefamily, including four sisters with Down Syndrome, I understand theimportance of special needs planning and I strive to alleviate any fear of “whatif,” and replace it with the comfort that comes from coordinating special needsplanning with your overarching financial strategy.My team and I understand that learning the family’s story, their hopes andtheir dreams, is the foundation of a great plan. Special needs can bediagnosed at birth or happen later in life and planning for the future can bechallenging, so I work with clients to help them navigate the complexities thatcome with planning; from understanding government benefits, to helpingdefine the benefits and consequences that come from the decisions they willhave to make.Along with other Special Needs Professionals, I am a member of theAcademy of Special Needs Planners. I believe in the team approach andunderstand the importance of cultivating relationships with subject matterexperts in various fields to help ensure my clients confidently pursue theirgoals.https://www.elizabethjlarson.com/

On today's episode we have Eric Jorgensen of Special Needs Navigator. Eric has been helping families with intellectual and developmental disabilities since hisretirement from the Navy in 2012. He was widowed the same year he retired, and it was hisfrustration with the difficulty of getting clear and direct guidance of what to do & when whichled him to start Special Needs Navigator. He now helps caregivers, families and individualsnavigate the maze of benefits, resources and services around the country.In addition to his MS in Finance & Information Systems and an MBA; Eric has earned theCertified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Federal Employee Benefit Consultant, CertifiedDivorce Financial Analyst and Chartered Special Needs Consultant designations. Eric and his son, William, currently reside in Frederick, MD.Learn more: https://www.specialneedsnavigator.us/

Friends, this episode is with one of our own transition specialists, Olivia Spencer!Transition has been a passion for Olivia since working towards her undergraduate degree in Special Education at Western Carolina University. After graduating and becoming a special education teacher for students with intellectual disabilities in a public middle school, she had a deepened passion for high quality transition planning and sought a Masters Degree in Secondary Special Education and Transition from the University of Kansas. Olivia has six years of teaching students with significant intellectual disabilities, ages 14-22, across two states, both in private and public school settings. Meeting families where they are in the transition journey, and providing excellent consultation and planning to ensure a successful future for individuals with disabilities is her passion. Enjoy this episode and if you are wanting to work with Able Transition, visit our website!https://www.abletransitionconsulting.com/work-with-able

Rose Reif is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and a Qualified Developmental Disability and Mental Health Professional. She's also Board Certified in providing Telemental Health. Rose supports people with disabilities and the people who love them in her counseling practice in Cary, North Carolina, and also works with clients throughout North Carolina online. You can learn more by visiting RoseReif.com.  We know you will enjoy this episode!

Caroline lives in Raleigh with her husband Sam and two large, lovable fur babes. Her passion in life is to create social involvement for people of all ages, disabilities and backgrounds. GiGi’s Playhouse mission, to change the way the world sees Down syndrome is a passion that resonates through her daily lifestyle. She feels honored to be the Site Manager and have a role in empowering individuals with Down syndrome. She leaves every day with a full cup, grateful that a day at GiGi's means experiencing joy, acceptance and love. About GiGi’s playhouse: At GiGi’s Playhouse, all ages are welcome, from pre-natal to adults. The positive and uplifting environment of GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh will empower those with Down syndrome and their families to reach their highest potential. GiGi’s Playhouse’s custom, research-based curriculum works towards advancing literacy, math skills, gross and fine motor skills, improving low muscle tone, building self-esteem, preparing for the workforce and more while fostering acceptance, awareness and networking resources for parents, siblings and the community. All programs are FREE of charge: cost will not be a barrier to achievement!

We have an amazing guest on the podcast today and you are not going to want to miss this episode. Today Paul Yokabitus is adding his voice to the Dreams Fulfilled Podcast. Paul Yokabitus is an Estate Planning and Special Needs Planning lawyer and owner of Cary Estate Planning. He has offices in Cary, Raleigh, and Wake Forest. He helps parents through the Special Needs Planning process, including Special Needs Planning, ABLE Accounts, and Adult Guardianship and Powers of Attorney. Most importantly, he helps guide parents towards the ideal outcome for their family and their needs. You can find out more about Paul and his planning process by visiting www.caryestateplanning.com.

Today we have an amazing guest, Claudine Burns, on our show. Claudine is a mother, wife, advocate and the owner of a yoga studio, Indigo Hot Yoga in Raleigh, North Carolina. Claudine's son, Joseph, is on the Autism Spectrum and throughout his life Claudine has been his advocate, biggest cheerleader and friend. Claudine shares with us today their journey to find Joseph a home. And not just any home but a forever home. Listen in to their amazing story. We hope this sparks conversations and hopefully, housing solutions for individuals with disabilities. Enjoy.

Friends, today we have an amazing guest, Matthew Schwab.Matthew shares with us today about his life, dreams and how he is accessing a high-quality life.Matthew's Bio:Matthew is 22 years old and a North Carolina native from Holly Springs. He graduated from Holly Springs High School in June 2017 with an occupational course of study diploma. After high school he completed Project Search, an internship based educational program, through Wake Tech. Matthew works at AMC Theaters, Fuquay Revolution Volleyball, 321 Coffee, Chick-Fil-A and his own public speaking business, Matthew Schwab Speaks. He volunteers with WCPSS and serves on the AdvisoryCouncil at 321 Coffee and with GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center, as an ambassador and on their Youth Advisory Board. He has attended workshops on advocacy, spoken to Governors McCrory and Cooper and was a paid intern in the NC State legislature. Matthew is now serving as co-deputy campaign manager for John Bradford’s reelection to the NC State Legislature and most recently he gave a TEDx talk in Cary NC. Matthew has a long-term girlfriend. He loves to advocate for people with IDD, travel and spend time with his family and friends. Matthew wants to live on his own, be self-supporting, get married and have a career as a public speaker.

Thank you for tuning in to listen! We are so excited to be launching this podcast in order to support families, individuals, community members and business leaders. This episode is an introduction to what Dreams Fulfilled will offer you!Our Website:abletransitionconsulting.comInstagram: @abletransition

Today on the podcast we have incredible guests, the hosts from The Lucky Few Podcast! Heather Avis, Micha Boyett, and Mercedes Lara are the amazing hosts of The Lucky Few. Learn from these amazing moms about what they are unlearning, how they seek to advocate for all of their children, and why listening matters. Learn more about these amazing women and check out their podcast. You will only be enriched and encouraged! https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/about  

Jennifer Pfaltzgraff is a mother, an advocate and a huge Caniac! Normally you can find her at a disability awareness event or a Hurricanes hockey game. These days you can find her in the kitchen cooking or in front of the computer on a Zoom meeting with Arc co-workers. She is crazy about her kids Madeleine and Ethan and her beagle Charlie. Jennifer believes in connection, community and caring and hopes her work at The Arc of the Triangle helps the disability community.We know you all will enjoy this episode. Learn more about The Arc of the Triangle today!http://www.arctriangle.org/

Friends, today we have Kevin Iannucci on our podcast. Kevin is incredibly talented, driven, creative and funny. Kevin is an avid TikTok creator, writer and actor. Kevin has acted in movies and acting in the movie, The Best of Enemies. Kevin has so much drive and ability. Kevin is an amazing advocate and his voice is needed in the movie industry today. Representation matters and I hope that you will see the importance of representation as Kevin eloquently communicates in today's episode. We hope you all enjoy. If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider supporting us, https://www.patreon.com/abletransition.

Nick Doyle and Gabi Angelini met at a Down Syndrome Conference and immediately hit it off. Since that day they have begun a long distance relationship. They live 500 miles apart and work daily to encourage one another to seek their dreams. Nick is an actor and is in the improv group Improvaneers. The group is the world’s first improvisational theater group for persons with Down Syndrome. Gabi is an entrepreneur and has started her own coffee shop with her mom. Listen in to hear their story, learn about their dreams and how they are seeking for those dreams to be fulfilled!Enjoy!

We have a great guest on the podcast today! Gabi Angelini is our guest, she is a Raleigh, North Carolina resident, an entrepreneur, loves to dance, loves her boyfriend and wants to live a life where she can make her own choices. It always been her dream to own her own restaurant or store. Listen in to her story today, as she shares her journey to employment and working at her own coffee business. I know you will hear her joy and positivity in our episode today. Enjoy.Support Gabi's Grounds and purchase some of their tasty coffee today!https://gabisgrounds.com/