Unfettered: A Mother's Quest for Balance
​As a special needs trust attorney, I’ve worked with thousands of families to help them navigate life with a child who has special needs.
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Every family is unique, but there is a common theme running through their lives as their child reaches adulthood and beyond.
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While unwaveringly devoted to their child’s care, parents of older children are seeking balance for their own lives, too.
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Kathy, a devoted mother, has spent the last 24 years as the primary caregiver for her daughter, Andrea, who has severe autism and is non-verbal. Andrea requires constant supervision.
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Kathy, alongside husband Robert, has devoted her life to ensuring Andrea's care and well-being.
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Recently, Robert was diagnosed with cancer, a challenge that shook their family to its core. Cancer led Kathy and Robert to realize how much of their lives has been centered around caregiving for Andrea, leaving little room for themselves.
When we were finalizing their Trust plans, Kathy expressed a powerful yearning to live life "unfettered."
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She told me how Robert and her have never been on a vacation together for the past 24 years. While one is away, the other stays home with Andrea.
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For Kathy, being “unfettered” means finding a balance between her responsibilities for Andrea’s care and her own life. It’s about reclaiming her identity beyond being a caregiver and allowing herself to experience life more freely, without the relentless weight of responsibility.
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Andrea helped me understand that living "unfettered" doesn’t mean abandoning her role as a mother, but rather creating a life where she can nurture herself and Robert alongside their daughter.
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It’s about creating an achievable Care Transition Plan and finding the support and resources necessary for Andrea while also embracing the freedom to live thier own lives fully.
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We are honored and proud to know that Shift is helping Kathy* and her family on a journey that can be shared by many parents, a journey towards a life where care and freedom coexist.​
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* "Kathy" and Robert and Andrea are not thier real names, but their story is true.
Michael Pearce, founder of SHIFT, has dedicated his career to serving families with children who have complex care needs. Building on 25 years of experience as a special needs attorney, Michael now focuses 100% of his time in guiding families through the challenges of lifespan care planning and transitions for their child with complex care needs.
Michael’s methodologies—including GRIN, GRIP, and GONE—empower families to create sustainable, person-centered care plans.
Michael is the also the Founder of the VEST digital care platform which supports individuals and their families by centralizing critical records, enabling seamless transitions, security, and maintaining continuity across the lifespan care journey.
Michael’s exclusive focus on families navigating special needs caregiving makes him a trusted leader and advocate in the community, helping families secure a brighter, more sustainable future.