Table of Contents

CONTENTS Foreword by Beth Mount xi Acknowledgments xv Introduction 1 CHAPTER 1 The Nest Is Never Empty 11 CHAPTER 2 That Nagging Question 19 CHAPTER 3 Loneliness Is the Only Real Disability 27 CHAPTER 4 Your Child's Pursuit of Happiness 39 CHAPTER 5 Discovering Your Child's Dream 49 CHAPTER 6 Researching the Options 63 CHAPTER 7 Drafting a Transitional Plan 73 CHAPTER 8 Setting Goals to Accomplish the Transitional Plan 83 CHAPTER 9 Estate Planning 97 CHAPTER 10 Working with Your Attorney 107 CHAPTER 11 Implementing the Plan a Step at a Time 111 CHAPTER 12 The Nest May Seem Empty, but You Aren't Done Yet 121 CHAPTER 13 Continuing the Civil Rights Movement for Disability Rights 131 APPENDIXES 139 A. Sample Emergency Backup Plan 141 B. Sample Caregiver's Manual 145 C. Team-Building Advocacy 173 D. Become Your Own Advocate 177 E. U.S. Government Programs 181 F. For More Information 187 G. Recommended Resources 193 NOTES 195 INDEX 197 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 203

About the Author

NANCY J. CAMPBELL (Kansas City, MO) is a trainer, facilitator, and speaker specializing in the development of management skills to enhance employee performance.

Reviews

..".wealth of information, advice, and strategies to help parents provide their son or daughter with a solid foundation for a fulfilling life." -Education Digest

"The million dollar question for parents of children with disabilities is 'What happens to my child once I'm gone?' There is so much to do, so much to prepare, to plan for, to worry about especially concerning a child with complex disabilities and multiple health concerns. These nagging questions are quieted with preparation for his or her future while you are still able to advocate on their behalf. Peggy Lou Morgan makes all of these tasks seem a little more manageable in her clear, comprehensible and incredibly informative book." --Education Review

"The sample caregiver's manual in the appendices is important for anyone working on this daunting task." --Brain, Child Magazine

"When you're up to your eyebrows in therapists and IEPs and doctor visits and research, it's hard to imagine a time when you'll have to deal with issues like where your adult child is going to live and work and find friendship. Often, we put those thoughts off -- but that time comes more quickly than you think, and without some advance preparation, it's rough on everyone. Morgan, author of Parenting Your Complex Child, provides a calm, experienced voice to lead you through." --About.com/Parenting Special Needs Children (http: //specialchildren.about.com/)