How do you keep going when the life you planned is replaced by a daily battle for survival? In this moving episode, host Anne Bonney sits down with Nancy Ferraro—attorney, author of When the Bough Breaks, and keynote speaker—to discuss the raw, unfiltered reality of raising a child with severe disabilities and violent behavioral challenges. 

Nancy shares her journey of adopting her son, George, from Romania, only to discover he suffered from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and severe attachment disorders. From the "Hurricane George" years of daily violence to the soul-crushing realization that she "could not love the disability out of him," Nancy reveals how she traded shame for strength and became a fierce advocate for her son and her family. 

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

  • The "Bough-Breaking" Moment: Redefining parental expectations when "neurotypical" isn't an option. 
  • Advocacy as Love in Motion: Why learning the "language of power" (like FAPE and Section 504) is the ultimate act of love. 
  • The Power of Community: How a chance encounter in a grocery store shifted Nancy's perspective from "why me?" to "aren't we blessed?". 
  • Breaking the Silence: Overcoming the social shame and isolation of traumatic parenting. 
  • Securing the Future: Vital legal insights into special needs planning, guardianship, and why "love alone is not enough" when it comes to your child's long-term care. 

Want more from Nancy?  

Nancy Ferraro is an attorney, author, and keynote speaker whose enthusiasm for life and compassion for humanity are hallmarks. A fierce protector, Nancy is passionate about serving and empowering others. With legal expertise in estate planning, probate, and guardianship Nancy shapes futures and builds legacies that fulfill clients’ desires. A lawyer who raised an adopted son suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome, Nancy has unique insights into parenting and decisions affecting children.


Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.


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