| Theresa
Varnet has been an advocate for persons with disabilities for
over 40 years. In addition to being a certified teacher, licensed
social worker and a graduate of the DePaul University College
of Law, she is the parent of a disabled adult daughter. She
has served as Social Services Director in a residential school
for profoundly retarded children, Coordinator for a Special
Education Cooperative and as a Citizen Advocacy/Disability Rights
Coordinator. While living in the Sultanate of Oman, she assisted
the Omani Ministry of Social Affairs in developing the first
preschool program for children with handicapping conditions.
Ms.
Varnet is an active volunteer in the National, State and local
chapters of The Arc (formerly known as the Association for
Retarded Citizens), Alliance for the Mentally Ill, The Autism Society,
serves on the Board of Directors for Life Stream, Inc. in New Bedford, MA,
past member of the Developmental Disabilities Council in MA and KY, and
past member of the Governor's Advisory Panel on Special Education in KY.
She received her Masters degree in Social Work from the University
of Connecticut. Her experience includes extensive work in
the area of in-service training with families, special educators,
social workers and other professionals. She is a frequent
speaker for volunteer and professional groups and has presented
nationally at the National Conferences of TASH, AAMR, NADS,
and The Arc, U.S. among others. She is also the co-author,
with Richard Spain, of "Home Control Through Estate and
Financial Planning", funded by the Illinois and Missouri
Planning Councils on Developmental Disabilities. Ms. Varnet
has been quoted on numerous occasions in national journals
and publications, including the Kiplinger Retirement Report,
Business Week, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and
the AARP Bulletin.
Ms.
Varnet is a member of the American Bar Association, the National Academy
of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Academy of Special Needs Planners. Ms. Varnet
is licensed in both Massachusetts and Illinois and divides her time between
the Illinois office of Spain, Spain & Varnet P.C. and the Massachusetts office
of Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple, P.C..
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