Dolores Story
I have 3 children, David aged 28 and twins, Sean & Kate 23. David was born prematurely at 28 weeks and weighed in at just under 2lbs. As we were both in intensive care at different hospitals, I didn’t hold him until he was nearly 3 weeks old. He had suffered a brain haemorrhage and his lungs had collapsed. His skin was transparent, he was not able to take a bottle, lost weight and was on a machine to help him breathe. Yet, when I eventually got to hold him, I thought he was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen in my life. My only wish was for him to breathe, as I held him. It didn’t matter what the consultants/nurses/doctors told me. I just wanted David to live.
I love David as I do all my children, but I have greater concerns for his future. I am involved in Financial Wellbeing because I feel I can understand parents, having been a Carer for my mum for over 30-years and now for David. I want to be there to give parents the knowledge that I have attained as a Carer.
David’s Story
I started working with Financial Wellbeing in October 2014. I ask people to sign up to our free monthly newsletter and get the names and the email address of the people we meet at different events. I add these names to the database and I proof read our newsletter to check for any spelling mistakes.
I attend all the workshops and I do the opening and closing formalities. I also organise the sat-nav so we can find the venues and I prepare the room for the workshop. I like to wear my Financial Wellbeing t-shirt. I like to go for a cup of tea with Allan and Dolores and discuss how the workshops went. I write articles about different things that I find interesting, I hope everyone likes these.
Allan’s Story
I am married to Lisa and we have two children, Zara is 19 and Ryan is 17. My niece Laura was born in 2000 with Down Syndrome and this was our family’s first introduction into the special needs world. It was not until years later that I realised the financial pressures that are put on a family with a child who has additional needs. It shocked me how difficult it was for my brother Pierce, and other parents, to gather information and professional advice, not only on finance but on lots of aspects of their child’s care.
That was when I decided that I wanted to make a difference. I founded Financial Wellbeing in 2008, a company dedicated to Special Needs Trust Planning. It gives me great joy to help ease the financial worries of parents who are raising a child with additional needs. This is my way of helping parents who are constantly faced with difficult choices and challenges. I hope this website motivates you to create a brighter and more secure future for your child.