Protected Tomorrows helps families plan for future

April 5, 2007 (WLS) -- Many parents who have children with disabilities worry about the future -- especially when they are no longer around. But there is a Chicago area life planner that can put families on the right track.

There's a lot to consider with future planning for individuals with disabilities. Protected Tomorrows has the resources to provide educational, residential and financial solutions.

Patti Costa always worried about her 20-year-old daughter Amy's future.

"My biggest concerns is to make sure that she has a full life and she's safe and that she can enjoy all of the things that the average individual enjoys," said Patti.

Amy has a cognitive disability.

"She has what's called Dandy Walker's syndrome and she also has hypopititaryism which is the pituitary gland so hormones are imbalance as well as the ability, I would say, to roller skate, bicycle, things of that nature," said Mary Anne.

Last year, Patti started working with Mary Anne Ehlert, founder and president of Protected Tomorrows.

"We help those families find resources and put a whole life plan around the individual, finding all the things they need that they never would have had access to before," said Mary Anne.

Mary Anne has been working with families for more than 15 years.

"The first thing we do is make sure that they're candid with themselves. That's an issue because a lot of families keep their head in the sand. They have their child at home for a very longtime. The older families, especially as we find younger parents, they're more proactive but as parents are older they want their child to be safe," said Mary Anne.

Finding a place to live is the number one concern of parents with children with disabilities.

"That's safe, that's funded that they can afford and that provides care," said Mary Anne.

Financial planning is another issue.

"There's funding that we need to put into place like SSI and Medicaid and home-based funding but a person with a disability cannot get those if they inherit money and so they estate planning component is really one of the steps we take families through is setting up a special needs trust," said Mary Anne.

Patti feels better knowing that she has future plans for Amy.

"Mary Anne has helped me by showing us that we can set up a special needs trust and have the ability to be able to get her the SSI benefits and the Medicaid and they're assisting us in making sure that future financial planning is in place," said Patti.

And amy knows she is going to be OK.

"I'm not afraid of leaving home," said Amy.

For more information about Protected Tomorrows call 847/522-8086 or visit www.protectedtomorrows.com.

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