Episode
Nancy Ferraro - When the Bough Breaks: Advocating for Special Needs Children with Courage and Love
- Published
- Nov 24, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 2580
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Summary
In this deeply powerful and important episode, Georgette Beck welcomes Nancy Ferraro - Florida-based estate planning and probate attorney, author of the award-winning memoir "When the Bough Breaks," and fierce advocate for families with special needs children. Nancy's journey is one of extraordinary courage. She and her then-husband adopted a boy named George from Romania, believing he was healthy. George arrived as what Nancy describes as "a wild animal in the body of a boy" - suffering from institutionally acquired autism, low IQ, fetal alcohol syndrome, and various psychoses. For nearly a decade, Nancy was the object of George's violence while navigating systems that often failed her family. But Nancy didn't just survive - she became a warrior. She learned to advocate, to command respect rather than beg for favors, and ultimately found the courage to place George in a group home at age 14 - a decision that saved all of their lives. Today, George is "living his best life," and Nancy uses her platform to shed light, share hope, and offer community to parents who feel alone. This conversation covers the reality of fetal alcohol syndrome (affecting 1 in 15 American children), why mothers shouldn't hide under rocks in shame, the importance of getting proper diagnosis and help, estate planning for special needs families, and why sometimes going through hardship isn't for you - it's for someone watching you. Connect with Nancy Ferraro Book: "When the Bough Breaks" - Available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/a6sBzUP Location: Treasure Coast, Florida Practice: www.ferrarolawpalmbeach.com - Estate Planning & Probate, specializing in Special Needs Trusts Speaking: Available for conferences, support groups, and advocacy events Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/nancy.annferra…