What About the Siblings?

part of the Our Parallel Paths podcast series.

_Recording Date: _November 18, 2025

Transcript: Download transcript HERE

Episode Summary: Gerry interviews two siblings - her daughter, Courtney Arango, & Dr. Meghan Burke, parent, sibling and researcher. They discuss the impact of having a sibling with a disability, and the expectations of caring for those siblings when parents are no longer able to. This important episode is one you won't want to miss.

Topical Index:

• Introductions [00:00]

• Self-Introductions [04:05]

• Building family relationships [05:58]

• Desired futures for our siblings [08:20]

• Staying connected across a distance [11:33]

• Our futures roles [15:05]

• What research has shown [18:37]

• How can parents help? [23:20]

• Building a support network [31:35]

• Supporting the siblings-in-law / spouses [37:43]

• Other things we need to know [45:21]

• Closing [51:14]

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Embracing the Dignity of Risk

part of the Our Parallel Paths podcast series hosted by Geralyn Arango Deeley

Recording Date: October 20, 2025

Transcript: Download transcript here.

Keywords: dignity of risk, community living, disability, transition, role release, embracing changes in roles, caregiving, Our Parallel Path, Gerry Arango Deeley, Geralyn Arango Deeley

Summary: Gerry discusses the Dignity of Risk as it relates to her relationship with her son Nic, as he learns to navigate living independently. Gerry discusses the challenges of permitting risk, and the necessity of releasing the role of caregiver so our family member can grow and thrive.

Topical Index:

• Introduction of topic [00:00]
• A little background [02:17]
• The need for trust [04:51]
• Dignity of Risk - origins of term [05:43]
• Mitigating risk [07:00]
• Importance of staff [09:18]
• Outcome [12:35]
• Some thoughts on Dignity of Risk [14:36]
• Closing [17:26]

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What About the Siblings (part 1)

Part of the Our Parallel Paths podcast series with Gerry Anderson Arango

Recording Date: September 8, 2025

Transcript: Download the episode's transcript.

Keywords: disability, Our Parallel Paths, Gerry Anderson Arango, siblings, sandwich generation, caregiving, transition, caregiving for siblings, planning, personal futures planning

Episode Summary: Gerry discusses the concern of many parents of children with disabilities... what happens when I am gone? Gerry explores the sometimes overlooked conversation... What About the Siblings? How do we help siblings be prepared, while also helping them as they explore their parallel paths while exploring the impact of changing roles.

Topical Index:

• Introductions: [00:00]
• nique Sibling challenges [01:15]
• Our connections / resources as parents [01:54]
• What to share and when... [10:21]
• Change happens [11:36]
• Documentation - The Binder [13:58]
• Open communication [15:11]
• Next Steps [16:13]
• Need for Sibling Resources [17:09]
• In Closing [19:17]

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Safe, Accessible Homes for You & Me with Dawn Heiderscheidt

Recording Date: June 9, 2025

Keywords: disability, home safety, accommodations, Assistive Technology, Dawn Heiderscheidt, Aurora Independence, Geralyn Arango Deeley, Gerry Arango Anderson, Our Parallel Paths, aging in place, independence, fall prevention

Transcript: Download the transcript for this episode.

Summary: This episode of "Our Parallel Paths" focuses on the topic of aging in place and making homes more accessible and safe for our loved ones with intellectual disabilities and others. Our guest, Dawn Heidersheidt, is the founder of Aurora Independence, a company that provides home assessments and recommendations to help people stay independent in their homes as they age.

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# Keeping Your Marriage Strong with gerry Arango Deely\

Recording Date: June 6, 2025

Keywords: disability, Our Parallel Paths, Gerry Arango Deeley, Gerry Anderson Arango, Dr. Geralyn Arango Deeley, marriage, strengthening marriage, communication, strong partnerships, resiliency

Transcript: Download the transcript for this episode.

Summary: ion this episode of Our Parallel Paths Gerry shares 7 principles for making marriage work, based on her own experiences, and sharing from the research of Drs. John and Julie Gottman. These include enhancing love maps, nurturing fondness and admiration, turning towards each other, letting your partner influence you, solving solvable problems, overcoming gridlock, and creating shared meaning.

Gerry shares her personal experiences from her two marriages, and discusses the additional challenges that can arise when supporting a loved one with an intellectual disability or autism. She highlights research showing that uplifts, respite care, and open communication between partners are important for maintaining marital quality in these situations.

Topica lIndex:

• Introductions [00:00]
• Gerry shares about her marriages [2:18]
• Dr. John Gottman - Seven Principle for Making Marriage Work [03:07]
• Commitment [12:08]
• Applying principles to those on the Parallel Path [12:57]
• Additional supporting research [16:09]
• Alexis Irazoque on Expressible.com/ Isler Taylor, Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities [17:34]
• The Importance of Uplofts [19:02]
• The importance of Resite [22:08]
• What About Siblings... does this apply? [24:16]
• Lee Woodruff, AAQRP article [27:25]
• Closing [30:20]

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$$$ with Mark Solomon, Financial Guidance for Special Needs Families

Recording Date: June 2, 2025

Keywords: financial planning, special needs trusts, trusts, special needs planning, Mark Solomon, Financial Guidance for Special Needs Families, Geralyn Anderson Arango, Gerry Arango Deeley, Our Parallel Paths, disability, transition

Transcripts: Download transcript for this episode.

Summary: Gerry talks with Mark Solomon, Financial Guidance for Special Needs Families, about the differences families of special needs children / adults face when planning for the future. Mark offers practical advice, and resources for families that can alleviate stress, and encourage thoughtful planning.

Resources:

• Website - snfguidance.com
• Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpecialNeedsFam/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SNFGuidance
• Email - [email protected]

Topical Index:

• Introductions [00:00]
• About Mark & Suzanne Solomon [02:55]
• Toolkit for families [04:37]
• Jugging Balls; Spinning Plates [05:42]
• How planning for special need children is different [06:37]
• Asset management vs. Financial Guidance [10:03]
• Medicaid - fears vs. reality [13:35]
• Siblings, trusts, and financial planning [17:22]
• Circles of Support [22:07]
• Contact information [23:23]
• The Parallel Path - retirement for your [24:22]
• Closing [32:09]

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3 Ways to Turn Worry Into Action

Part of the Our Parallel Paths podcast series with Gerry Arango Deeley

Recording Date: March 18, 2025

Transcript: Download transcript for this episode.

Keywords: worry, action, advocacy, medicaid, medicare, benefits, funding, disability, Our Parallel Paths, Gerry Arango Deeley, self-care, caregivers, supporters

Summary: In today’s episode Gerry shares strategies for turning the potentially self-defeating emotions of worry into action steps that lead to taking charge of situations, and leading to problem solving. Gerry encourages caregivers / advocates, recognizing the frustration often felt, and the need to be well-informed.

Topical Index:

• Introductions [00:00] Confronting worry [01:12]

• Some quotes about worry [02:10]

• The strategy - I am concerned about; I want to do something about; I need to learn about [04:25]
• About advocacy and resource [05:36]
• -- All Things Social Security
• -- Dr. Ed Weir, PhD, Former Social Security Manager
• The problem [08:43]
• One - Scream If You Must [11:17]
• Two - Get Focused and Get On The Phone [12:35]
• Three - Get Over the Guilt [13:51]
• The Resolution?? [[17:00]
• Closing [20:03]

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Caregiving on the PATH!

Part of the Our Parallel Paths podcast series with Geralyn Arango, Deeley, Ed.D.

Recording Date: January 23, 2025

Transcripts: Download the transcript for this episode,

Keywords: caregiving, What Would Nola Do? Gerry Anderson Arango, Geralyn Arango Deeley, disability, support, independence, transition, Our Parallel Paths

Episode Summary: Host Geralyn Arango Deeley, shares her journey as a caregiver, including the publication of her memoir "What Would Nola Do?", which explores the lessons she learned from caring for her son with Down Syndrome, her mother with dementia, and a friend with a traumatic brain injury. Gerry shares six key caregiving lessons that she continues to apply in her life, including the importance of respecting privacy and personal control, recognizing that disability is a constant, thoughtful advocacy, combating loneliness, redefining "normal", and appreciating the support her son provides to her. Gerry announces the release of the 10th anniversary edition of her memoir in January of 2025, and encourages listeners to check it out as it may provide helpful insights for their own caregiving journeys.

Topical Index:

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Revisiting Speech Therapy with Patrice Gilbert

Part of the Our Parallel Paths podcast series with Geralyn Arango Deeley, Ed.D.

Recording Date: January 23, 2025

Keywords: disability, speech therapy, speech and language therapy, speech and language pathologist, Patrice Gilbert, Gerry Arango, Geralyn Arango Deeley, transition, independence, communication, Our Parallel Paths

Transcript: Download the transcript from today's episode.

Episode Summary: This episode discusses the importance and value of speech therapy for adults with intellectual disabilities. The host, Geralyn Arango Deeley shares her and her son Nic’s experiences with speech therapy, and how it has impacted Nic’s life. Gerry’s guest, speech language pathologist Patrice Gilbert, shares her approach and philosophy for working with adults. Patrice emphasizes needing to presume competence when working with people and setting high expectations for success. She encourages involvement of all communication partners in the process to better ensure generalizing what is learned throughout all areas of a person’s life. This conversation highlights the ongoing value of speech therapy for empowering adults with intellectual disabilities to improve their communication abilities and participate more fully in their communities.

Topical Index:

Introduction [00:00] Nic's early speech therapy experiences [02:21] Recognizing the need for speech therapy [04:28] Introducing Patric Gilbert, speech pathologist [05:17] What does speech therapy for adults look ike? [06:57] Some guidelines [09:02] Importance of expectations [13:04] Importance of communicating [14:57] Respectful support [16:04] Communication as a two way street [19:42] Checking in [21:50] Nic's progress [24:24] The different forms of communication [25:57] Fining services [27:32] Importance of the correct assessment [30:07] Closing [34:14]

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The PATH! A Tool for Planning for the Future

This episode is part of the Our Parallel Paths: A Future for My Loved One With a Disability... and For Me!

Transcript: Download transcript HERE

Recording Date: August 28, 2024

Keywords: person centered planning, The PATH, Planning alternative tomorrows with hope, Inclusion Press, Jack Pierpoint, Marsha Forrest, planning for the future, planning, disability, caregiving, Gerry Arango, Geralyn Arango Deeley, transition

Summary: In this episode Gerry discusses the concept of "person-centered planning" and the PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) tool, which can be used not only for individuals with intellectual disabilities, but also for their family members and caregivers. Gerry explains how the PATH process works, starting with envisioning a "North Star" or long-term goal, and then breaking that down into smaller, achievable steps. She shares her experiences using this tool, and encourages listeners to consider creating a PATH for themselves, as the paths of family members and individuals with disabilities often parallel each other. Gerry emphasizes the importance of self-care and planning for one's own future, in order to provide the best support for a loved one.

Topical Index:

• Introductions [00:00]
• Concerns about the future [02:12]
• What is a PATH? [03:23]
• Putting yourself first [03:54]
• My introduction to the PATH tool [05:40]
• Describing the PATH [08:22]
• The recipe for the PATH… what you need [11:09]
• The steps of the PATH [12:11]
• Link to the PATH template download

PDF. WORD

• The PATH… an ogoing process [17:12]
• Closing [18:12]

Resources: The PATH tool

• WORD
• PDF

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