# 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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Episode 3: Chronic Sorrow and Grief with Maleita Olson

Subtitle: Part of the Our Parallel Paths: A Future for My Loved One With a Disability... and For Me! podcast with Geralyn Arango Deeley, Ed.D.

Recording Date: June 27, 2024

Transcript: Download Transcript HERE

Keywords: Chronic Sorrow, Grief, Gerry Arango Deeley, Geralyn Arango Deeley, Maleita Olson, Sorrow, loss disability, transition, caregiver, parent, Our Parallel Paths

Episode Summary: In this podcast episode, Dr. Geralyn Arango-Deeley interviews Maleita Olson, a licensed clinical social worker and mother of four, about the concept of chronic sorrow and grief in the context of parenting a child with special needs. They discuss the challenges and losses that parents may experience, such as the loss of privacy, the loss of feeling like an expert on their own child, and the loss of being able to make mistakes without feeling guilty. They also emphasize the importance of acknowledging and validating these feelings, as well as finding support and community among other parents who can relate to their experiences. The conversation highlights the need to hold both the sorrow and the joy of parenting a child with special needs, and to recognize that it is okay to feel both. Maleita shares a quote from an autistic individual that encourages parents to mourn the expectations they had for their child, rather than mourning the child themselves. They discuss the ongoing process of letting go and the cyclical nature of grief. The episode concludes with a message of hope and solidarity for all parents on parallel paths.

Topical Index: Introductions [00:00] Chronic Sorrow article [01:12] Introducing Maleita Olson [04:46] Culture vs. the right to sadness [06:40] Compounding of losses [08:18] Disability and a sense of loss [10:15] Freedom to make mistakes [12:51] Micro-lossess [17:10] Internalizing our children's struggles [22:32] As a parent I am responsible for everything [23:53] Different responses to loss [26:01] walking through chronic sorrow [27:55] It is What It is [32:44] Balancing sorrow and joy [34:55] Importance of community [36:40] Closing [45:37]

Resources: A Grief That Never Ends: Chronic Sorrow

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Supports Coordination - An Interview with Jessica Fenton, Miracle Works Pt. 2

Subtitle: Part of the Our Parallel Paths podcast series hosted by Gerry Arango Deely, Ed.D.

Recording Date: May 3, 2024

Transcript: Download transcript HERE

Keywords: Supports Coordination, waiver funding, CMS, IEP, ISP, transition, Our Parallel Paths, Gerry Arango, Geralyn Arango Deelely, Jessica Fenton, Miracle Works, advocacy, family, self-direction

Episode Summary: In this episode host Geralyn Arango Deeley and guest Jessica Fenton, continue their discussion on the role of supports coordination in helping individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families navigate the system and access the services they need. Jessica shares her some of her own journey into this line of work. They continue to explore how supports coordination works, including the importance of regular monitoring and self-advocacy. They also touch on the concept of self-direction and how families can optimize the use of funding through supports coordination.

Topical Index:

Podcast Intro [00:00] Guest introductions [01:11] Jessica's journey to Supports Coordination [03:07] About Miracle Works [05:56] Choice of providers, services, supports coordination [11:12] How to make changes [12:03] Finding a Supports Coordination Organization [14:58] Advocating for you and your loved ones [19:06] How can a supports coordinator help? [21:26] Self-directed services [24:19] Blending service models to meet your needs [29:15] Closing [30:09]

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Supports Coordination - An Interview with Jessica Fenton, Miracle Works

Subtitle: Part of the Our Parallel Paths podcast series hosted by Gerry Arango Deely, Ed.D.

Recording Date: May 3, 2024

Transcript: Download transcript HERE

Keywords: Supports Coordination, waiver funding, CMS, IEP, ISP, transition, Our Parallel Paths, Gerry Arango, Geralyn Arango Deelely, Jessica Fenton, Miracle Works, advocacy, family

Episode Summary: In this episode, host Geralyn Arango Deeley introduces her guest, Jessica Fenton, who is a Supports Coordinator and Director of Miracle Works, a Supports Coordination Organization in Pennsylvania. They discuss the role of supports coordinators in locating, coordinating, and monitoring services for individuals with disabilities. They also talk about the different waivers available in Pennsylvania and the importance of advocating for the needs of loved ones. They touch on the transition from the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to the Individualized Support Plan (ISP) and the shift in language between goals and outcomes. The episode ends with a brief discussion of some upcoming changes in the system.

Topical Index:

Season 4 Kick-Off [00:00] Unique challenges [01:12] Moving from entitlement to qualifying [03:05] Introducing the Supports Coordinator! [04:55] Working definitions [06:44] The budget - needs based [08:42] Waivers - what are they [10:51] Advocacy - be your own voice [13:40] First step - reaching out to the county AE [16:57] Do waivers move with you? [20:09] Goals vs. Outcomes [22:42] Changes coming to Pennsylvania [25:05] Closing of pt 1 - intro to pt 2 [29:48]

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Write About It, Part 2 - Journaling Tips

Recording Date: February 14, 2024

Keywords: Journaling, writing, Gerry Arango, Geralyn Arango-Deeley, Our Parallel Paths, self-expression, journaling tips,

Transcript: Download transcript HERE

Episode Summary: Gerry continues sharing about her writing journey, and encourages caregivers to incorporate the habit of writing or "journaling" into their lives as a tool for problem solving, gaining perspective, and emotional support. In this second episode on journaling Gerry shares some quick and easy tips for making journaling a habit in your life.

Topical Index:

• Introductions [00:00]
• Recap of benefits of journaling [01:36]
• Not a destination - it's a process [05:21]
• Use what makes you comfortable [08:10]
• Write every day [08:41]
• Make it easy [[09:55]
• Don't edit yesterday's entries [12:02]
• Journaling groups [13:12]
• Be patient with yourself [15:02]
• Closing [17:43]

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