SNW: Special Needs Workshop

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A Special Needs Plan was designed with the Security and Comfort of your family as our primary mission.  We created the L.I.F.E.™ Process in order to help you define and then assemble a strategy that makes sense for your family.  L.I.F.E.™ stands for Lasting Independence For Everyone™, including you, your special needs loved one and the other members of your family. Our goal is to provide you with the tools necessary to reach your L.I.F.E.™.  Five Distinct Planning Packages were developed for families in various stages of their L.I.F.E.™.

How A Special Needs Plan Began

The genesis of A Special Needs Plan began while I was attending a state Arc conference.  I was overwhelmed by the level of enthusiasm I received when people learned that my planning practice was tailored to families with Special Needs.  I had people from more than 4 states away, and a grandfather with a granddaughter 3,000 miles away ask if I could help them.  At that point, I could not.

It was the feeling that I was letting people down who really needed help that spawned the thought of what is now A Special Needs Plan.  I decided to offer this information in a number of ways.  Families can choose a 1-on-1 Planning Engagement, The Video Guided and Workbook L.I.F.E. Planning Starter System, and On-line tools.  In this way, we hope to allow every family to begin planning in the way that is most comfortable for them.  We know that your life is extremely hectic and your responsibilities great, so we wanted to ensure you had options.  Due to the array of course options offerred through ASNP University all families, regardless of socio-economic background will be able to begin building a more secure future for their loved one.  That was very important to us because disability knows no socio-economic boundaries and we want all families that need this information to have access.

The Purpose of A Special Needs Plan is to provide quality information, be a positive resource for families, and to help families achieve security and comfort.  We do this with the principles of honesty, integrity and with God as our guide.

About Ryan Platt, Founder of A Special Needs Plan.

Ryan understands that life does not always go as planned.  As a Senior at Wake Forest University he became quite ill and was in danger of not living to see graduation.  After time spent in two hospitals and then at home, he did recover and did graduate (1996).  However, it was that experience that shaped his conviction for the L.I.F.E.™ planning process.  Although it is impossible to know when our last day will come, we all have the ability to define our needs and desires for our family and take action to secure their L.I.F.E.™

            After completing his MBA in 2003, Ryan decided to continue his education, while building his practice, in the area of Special Needs Planning.  Ryan completed his Special Care Planner Certification in 2005 at the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA.  This program provides advanced training in estate and tax planning, special needs trusts, government programs, and the emotional dynamics of  working with people with disabilities and other special needs and their families.  Ryan combined his education with his experience to create A Special Needs Plan.

            Ryan lives in Concord, NC with his beautiful wife, 2 sons and 1 daughter.  Ryan serves proudly as a Board Member for The Arc of Mecklenburg County, and was honored to be The Arc Angel of the Year in 2009.