Annette Hines - Author, Lawyer, and Founder of Special Needs Law Group
Annette Hines
Annette Hines is a best-selling author, lawyer, and the founder of Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, PC. and has been practicing in the areas of Special Needs, Elder Law and Estate Planning for over twenty years. Her world as she knew it exploded when her infant daughter Elizabeth was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease—a degenerative, life-limiting illness. Annette’s joy quickly turned to apprehension and she knew nothing would ever be the same again.
In her book, Butterflies and Second Chances, she was able to share her family’s story and provide hope and inspiration to so many. It’s the inspiring true story of a mother’s special needs journey, and her struggle to secure the best possible life for her child in the face of bureaucratic resistance and marital crisis. It is a story of sacrifice, dedication, and the life-altering adjustments a special needs parent has to make when confronted with the unthinkable. But most of all, it’s about love and an extraordinary mother-daughter relationship that flourished without words in the darkest shadows of adversity. Annette and Elizabeth’s powerful story provides hope, solace, and a path forward for parents of special needs children, and it will resonate with families everywhere.
I’m so excited for you guys to connect with Annette, check out her work with Special Needs Law Group, her book and podcast, and follow along as she continues to help families and individuals facing challenges related to their disability or special needs, and navigate a very complex system to access services and support.
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
My name is Annette Hines and I am an attorney, advocate, author, speaker and most importantly mom to Elizabeth and Caroline. I published a book this year called Butterflies and Second Chances – A Mom’s Memoir of Love and Loss. It was so important to me to reach out to other families who are raising a child with special needs and some of whom may have lost their child like I did. The book has allowed me to reflect back on my experience and continue to give meaning to my daughter Elizabeth’s life. It’s also why I started a law practice seven years ago just focused on Special Needs Advocacy and Planning. We are the only firm in Massachusetts solely focused on these issues.
How did you get started?
When Elizabeth was born as a 29-week two pound preemie, I struggled to get the information I needed and the resources and supports I needed. I was very lonely and scared. When I started my law practice after many years of practicing in other people’s firms, I set out to create a suite of services and supports for families like mine. We offer all the support that I needed but didn’t get when my family was young.
What inspired the work that you're doing?
When I was in law school, I wanted to be Perry Mason. I wanted to go to court every day and solve people’s problems in a big and splashy way. I studied civil rights issues and really thought I would be a civil rights attorney. But then after law school and before I sat for the bar, Elizabeth was born. I am realizing my dream of being a civil rights attorney now, fighting for the disabled. It’s not flashy, but it is the best career and the best life ever! I will always be grateful to Elizabeth for bringing me into this community that I love so dearly.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
My passion is in helping families and individuals facing challenges related to their disability or special needs navigate a very complex system to access services and supports. I get to do this work every day! So many of my friends that are attorneys are not fulfilled in their work. I am very fortunate that I live my passion daily and even after my daughter passed, I was able to keep going in this work that gives meaning and purpose to my life and Elizabeth’s.
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
First and foremost my children, my husband and my dog are my whole world. Nothing else I do would be meaningful without them. For my work, I truly love speaking to groups of parents whether through in person events both small and large, or through my podcast, radio and tv appearances. I am very outgoing and I am fueled by relationships and connections with others who are in my community. When I can help families prepare and plan for their special needs family member, support them through their struggles, cry with them and just listen, I know that I am doing the work I was meant to do.
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
For me it is prayer. I pray in a way very similar to meditation. I ask for guidance and support, and I am grateful for all the gifts I have been given.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
She was so lonely and scared that I don’t think she could have ever envisioned the life that I am living now. I know she would be surprised but I also know that she would be so proud of us and also thankful that Elizabeth had such a good although short life. And also thankful that Caroline is doing so well after all the trauma that we have lived.
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
My affirmation is that I am loved. And I see butterflies everywhere as a reminder of that fact! You’ll have to read the book to see the meaning of that.
What is your biggest dream?
I am trying to raise an army of advocates that will change the world for people with special needs.
To learn more about Annette and Special Needs Law Group check out her website www.specialneeds-law.com and www.specialneedscompanies.com and on Facebook @specialneedslawgroup Twitter @annettehines15 and you can find Butterflies and Second Chances: A Mom’s Memoir of Love and Loss on Amazon here, and her podcast, Parenting Impossible: The Special Needs Survival Podcast can be found here
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