A personal connection that sparked a mission
For Diana Alago, her work is more than a profession—it is deeply personal.
“I have family members that have autism… I’ve seen how autism changes daily living,” she shared. Her firsthand experience inspired her to take action beyond her role at New York Life. After attending a special needs resource fair in New Jersey, she felt compelled to support local families. “I loved it so much… there are so many services that people are not aware of, so much so that I decided to bring it to my community.”
Through partnerships with community leaders, including Wendy Javier, Alago has helped organize resource fairs designed to connect families with essential services. “We want people to see all of the amazing services that are out there to help families,” she said. “I want to help families.”
The hidden challenges caregivers face
While every caregiving journey is unique, Alago emphasized that many challenges are shared—especially the lack of support.
“Not having a support system—that is the biggest challenge,” she said. Drawing from her own experience caring for her mother during a serious illness, she described the emotional and physical toll. “Sometimes I would cry on the way home because of how exhausted I was.”
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She also noted that many caregivers are unprepared for the physical demands of caregiving. “There’s so many tools… that people are not aware of,” she explained, recalling how even lifting her mother required specialized equipment and training.
Beyond physical strain, caregiving often brings financial pressure. “Income from state disability… you cannot survive on that,” she said, pointing out how limited support can quickly lead to hardship without proper planning.
Why financial planning matters for special needs families
A central focus of Alago’s work is helping families build long-term financial strategies—especially for children who may never be fully independent.
“You want to make sure that your child is taken care of financially,” she said. “And that also you put into place who’s going to take care of your child when you are no longer here.”
She explained that planning goes beyond saving money. It includes legal structures such as wills and trusts. “If you do not [plan], all of your assets go to probate… but when you have a trust in place, no one can petition for that money. Whatever you have is protected.”
Alago encourages families to think in layers—identifying future needs, assigning caregivers, and protecting assets. “First, you need to determine how much your child is going to need… The second thing is the paperwork… and then you want to put everything in a trust so that it’s protected no matter what happens.”
Lessons learned from personal experience
Alago’s perspective is shaped by her own experience navigating illness without preparation. When her mother became seriously ill, the family faced both emotional and financial strain.
She and her sister took on caregiving responsibilities while managing work and finances. “My mother did not have any life insurance, so we had to pull our money together,” she recalled.
That experience reshaped her understanding of planning. “I think preparing for the unexpected is really important,” she said. “If I would have thought about this 20 years ago, I would have done it all.”
Starting early, keeping it simple
For families who feel overwhelmed, Alago offers reassurance: the process can be simpler than it seems.
“We make it simple… it’s really just asking a couple of questions,” she said. A key starting point is understanding future needs. “How much of your income do you want your child to have when you’re not here?”
She also emphasized starting early. “The younger you are, the cheaper it is… so the sooner that you start, the better.”
Building a network of support
Recognizing that families need more than financial advice, Alago has built a network of professionals—including estate planners and attorneys—to provide more comprehensive support.
“I try to help people wherever I can,” she said. “The simpler, the better… one stop.”
Her goal is to reduce the burden on families by connecting them with trusted resources and making the process more accessible.
A shared mission of care
As the Caregiver Collective Interviews Series continues, Alago’s story adds an important professional perspective—highlighting the role of planning, preparation, and support systems.
Her message is clear: caregiving may be overwhelming, but families are not alone.
“There’s so many services… so many tools,” she said. “I just want people to know that help is out there.”
Through voices like hers, the series continues to bridge personal experience and professional guidance—offering families both understanding and practical pathways forward.
