In 1993 my first daughter Ellie was born. Upon her birth the doctor’s body language told me something was not right. Later that day Ellie was diagnosed with Oral-Facial-Digital Type 1 (OFD). Today, at the age of 17 Ellie has already had two kidney transplants and a myriad of other medical and cognitive issues. Throughout the years the issue that has consumed me was how to prepare for her long-term financial needs, especially when I am gone. I have a second daughter who is healthy and my wish is not to burden her with the care of Ellie. Motivated by this personal situation, I became a Certified Financial Planner® in 1992. My firm is now focusing solely on serving families with special needs members.

More than anything, each of us wants the assurance that we will be able to provide lifetime quality care for our special needs child. We can manage today, but what about next year or in 20, 30 and 40 years? The emotional and financial aspects of this goal can be overwhelming. I want to help you answer these questions.

I have created a series of workshops, a Comprehensive Special Needs Life Plan™ Process and an Interactive DVD: Preparation of the Letter of Intent to help you navigate the financial and legal maze of planning for long-term needs. I look forward to assisting you plan for the long-term needs of your entire family.

Professional Experience

Since 1992, Maedi Tanham Carney CFP® has provided financial planning and insurance services to corporations and individuals throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Beginning in 2009 she decided to focus exclusively on special needs planning through her own firm, M&L Special Needs Planning, LLC.

In 2011, Maedi received her CWIC certificate. A Certified Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) provides work incentives planning and assistance directly to beneficiaries with disabilities to assist them in their employment efforts. CWICs will also conduct outreach efforts to beneficiaries with disabilities (and their families) who are potentially eligible to participate in Federal or State work incentives programs. CWICs also provide general information on the adequacy of health benefits coverage that may be offered by an employer of a beneficiary with a disability; the extent to which other health benefits coverage may be available to that beneficiary in coordination with Medicare and/or Medicaid; and the availability of protection and advocacy services for beneficiaries with disabilities and how to access such services.

Activities and Achievements

Prior to Maedi receiving her CFP marks in 1991, Maedi worked at Studley, Inc., where she specialized in providing commercial real estate services to corporations, law firms, not-for-profit organizations, and trade associations throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. For a brief period from mid- 2005 to 2008, Maedi returned to Studley, Inc., where she was responsible for marketing and business development for a highly successful team. Maedi realized her heart and passion belonged in the financial planning field and returned to work with special needs families.

Maedi is active in fundraising for the Katherine Thomas School in Rockville, MD, which is an independent day school for students, preschool through twelfth grade, with language and learning disabilities and high functioning autism. In her spare time, Maedi has served as an assistant lacrosse coach for McLean Youth Athletics and ran the San Francisco Marathon in 2005. Maedi is also a single mother raising two teenage girls, one who is special needs. Maedi and her girls are the proud owner of three Labradors that get Maedi out the door for her daily run.

Maedi is an active member of:

• Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County
• Arc of Washington DC
• Arc of Montgomery County
• Arc of Northern Virginia
• Financial Planning Association
• Montgomery County Transitioning Adults
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Special Olympics

Education

Maedi graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelors of Science in Real Estate and Finance. Maedi received her CFP marks from the College of Financial Planning in Denver, and has her insurance and real estate licenses. Recently Maedi received her Certified Work Incentive Coordinator certificate which allows her to work in-depth with individuals with disabilities who are working or want to go to work but have questions about their benefits and insurance eligibility.