When James Sanders learned that he would be receiving a sizeable judicial award, he knew that he would have to do something with the proceeds to retain his benefits.

James Sanders had been down this road once before; he knew that the substantial money he received would have to go into a special needs trust, but this time, he wanted professionals involved.
   
    Several years prior, James had a special needs trust which had been managed and administered by a family member. “Of course I can’t really prove it, but I think I got cheated.” he says.

   
    This time it would be different, but James really did not know where to turn.  One of his lawyers recommended a pooled special needs trust.  A pooled trust combines the resources of multiple beneficiaries to take advantage of economies of scale.  In this way, even people with small accounts can enjoy professional management.

    James was referred to the Shared Horizons pooled special needs trust serving the Washington D.C. area; that’s where he met Yolanda Mazyck, Executive Director of Shared Horizons. “Yolanda is just great—she really puts the people’s needs first. It's not just a pay check to her.”

    James has happily been living independently for more than twenty years.  Thus, the funds available through the trust were used to improve his quality of life, cope with his legal blindness, and improve his living situation.

    Through the Shared Horizons trust, James acquired a close circuit TV to help him read books and other paperwork.  This particularly comes in handy for homework he receives from the Kennedy Institute.  James is currently pursuing employment in the food services/hospitality industry, with the assistance of the Institute.

    Despite his CP, James enjoys DJing.  The trust provided funds for James to purchase a recordable digital disc maker so that he could produce his own CD’s.  In addition, he was able to use those resources to take a few trips with friends and family, purchase an awesome set of luggage, and buy a panoply of other technical equipment which still serve him well in his musical pursuits.  Dinners out with friends, an impressive collection of CD’s and DVD’s, and household appliances round out the things the trust was able to provide over a two-year period.

     A huge fan of mysteries and romance novels, he reads books on tape in his spare time, and this love of reading has certainly paid off.  About two years ago, while attending classes at the Institute, he “met someone.”  On April 19, James will be getting married for the first time and begin an entirely new chapter of his life.  Knowing James, one can only expect great things to come. 

    Of all the items and opportunities the Shared Horizons trust was able to provide, I asked James, “What was the one favorite thing he received from the trust?”  With out missing a beat, he said that it was his opportunity to work with Yolanda.  “She treated me fairly and with respect.  Given the amount of money she handles, she still treated me really good; she does a great job.  It’s nice to be able to really trust someone when it comes to money.”