Learning Objectives

• Recognize unique financial challenges families face supporting lifelong care needs.
• Explain how traditional planning differs from special needs planning discussions.
• Identify emotional and psychological barriers impacting long-term decisions.
• Determine how CPAs can partner with advisors to guide complex conversations.
• Apply podcast insights to build stronger trust with overwhelmed families.

Some conversations don’t just teach you something, they stay with you — and this one does exactly that.

This CPE episode is built from a powerful podcast conversation with Mary McDirmid, who opens up about her journey from traditional tax work to becoming a purpose-driven financial planner for families raising children with rare diseases and lifelong care needs. Instead of a technical lecture, listeners are brought directly into a raw and personal dialogue about navigating medical uncertainty, building trust with overwhelmed parents, and creating financial plans that must outlive the caregivers themselves.

Through Mary’s stories, the episode reveals why typical planning frameworks fall short for special needs families and how financial professionals can step in, not just with numbers, but with empathy, clarity, and structure. The conversation blends humor, vulnerability, and real client moments to help CPAs understand the emotional, logistical, and financial layers behind these high-stakes decisions.