Category: Uncategorized

LPH15: David Buckley Shares His Family’s Down Syndrome Journey

LPH15: David Buckley Shares His Family’s Down Syndrome Journey

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In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about Down syndrome support, family advocacy, and community inclusion as David Buckley joins us to share his family’s story. David opens up about his son Jack’s Down syndrome diagnosis and the new world it brought into their lives. He explains how their family learned, grew, and found strong support through groups like the Miracle League, Gigi’s Playhouse, and Angel’s Place.

David reflects on how their mission to build a good life for Jack has also helped many others in the disability community. Join us for the last episode of the season as we hear their inspiring journey and the impact these organizations have had on their family.

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LPH14: Joel and Debbie Pearlman Simplify Caregiving and Special Needs Planning with the Dani Plan

LPH14: Joel and Debbie Pearlman Simplify Caregiving and Special Needs Planning with the Dani Plan

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In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses we talk about special needs planning, autism support, and caregiver tools as we sit down with Joel and Debbie Pearlman, the creators of the Dani Plan. Their idea grew from the needs of their eldest daughter, Dani, who has autism. The Dani Plan gives families a secure and organized way to store all the important information needed to care for a loved one with special needs, making daily caregiving and long term planning easier.

Joel and Debbie share their family’s journey, the challenges they faced, and why they felt called to build a tool that brings peace of mind to other families. Tune in to hear their mission to simplify caregiving and help parents plan for the future with confidence.

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LPH13: Rachelle Vartanian, a Visionary Building Community Inclusion for People With Disabilities

LPH13: Rachelle Vartanian, a Visionary Building Community Inclusion for People With Disabilities

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In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk about autism support, autism resources, disability services, and community inclusion as I sit down with Rachelle Vartanian, the founder of the Living and Learning Center in Northville, Michigan. Rachelle shares how her journey began when her son received an autism diagnosis and she saw the lack of strong autism programs and family support. Using her training in special education and her passion for helping people with disabilities, she worked to create new options for her son and for many families in need of meaningful services.

She explains how small social skills sessions at a public library grew into the Living and Learning Center, a unique space offering therapy, social programs, work based learning, and community engagement for people with disabilities. Tune in to hear Rachelle’s inspiring story, her focus on autism employment and life skills, and her vision for the future.

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LPH12: Janice Fialka and her son Micah, Trailblazers Changing the world For Disabilities

LPH12: Janice Fialka and her son Micah, Trailblazers Changing the world For Disabilities

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In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk about disability advocacy, full inclusion, and family support as I sit down with Janice Fialka, a nationally recognized lecturer and author. Janice shares her family’s origin story and the early dreams of her son Micah, who was born with a cognitive impairment. She explains how Micah followed a pioneering path toward complete inclusion through school, college, work, and community life.

Janice reflects on the challenges they faced, the breakthroughs they celebrated, and the deep impact Micah’s journey has had on the disability community. Their story shows the power of strong advocacy, high expectations, and believing in every person’s right to belong.

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LPH11: Benji and Sarah, inspired by Ellah, are shining a light on CSS and ACC

LPH11: Benji and Sarah, inspired by Ellah, are shining a light on CSS and ACC

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Join me on Let’s Plant Houses for a heartfelt conversation with Benji and Sarah as they reflect on their family’s extraordinary journey with their daughter, Ellah. Born with Coffin-Siris Syndrome (CSS) as well as a rare defect, Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC), Ellah faces unique health and developmental hurdles. Yet her resilience and push to be understood has created remarkable communication breakthroughs. Benji and Sarah delve into this story and more as well as their own incredible advocacy that has brought awareness of this rare condition to our local communities and beyond.

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LPH10: What’s available in our local community for families with IDD? A resource roundup with Wendy Ernzen

LPH10: What’s available in our local community for families with IDD? A resource roundup with Wendy Ernzen

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We covered a lot of ground with the first nine episodes of Let’s Plant Houses. On this 10th episode, I am a sharing a Top 10 List of resources mentioned in our stories in just 15 minutes. This episode is perfect for parents, caregivers, and professionals who are looking to learn about what’s available in our local area and why they might want to reach out to learn more.

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LPH09: Tracie Kelly’s story about autism, ingenuity, and soap

LPH09: Tracie Kelly’s story about autism, ingenuity, and soap

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Join us on Let’s Plant Houses when I sit down with Tracie Kelly, a savvy and resourceful mother and entrepreneur. Tracie discusses pivotal moments including her son’s diagnosis of autism to the creation of his thriving business Expedition Soaps, the completion of his college degree, his well traveled passport, and his future just beginning. In turn, Tracie has used her own lived experience to launch the IEP Advantage, a groundbreaking resource that equips parents with the knowledge and confidence to advocate effectively for their children and special education needs.

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LPH08: Rhonda Gelstein and the Story Behind Tyler’s Bottle Service, disability entrepreneurship, and IDD

LPH08: Rhonda Gelstein and the Story Behind Tyler’s Bottle Service, disability entrepreneurship, and IDD

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In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk about autism employment, disability entrepreneurship, and family resilience as we sit down with Rhonda Gelstein to hear her powerful story. After her son Tyler finished high school and a trade program, he still could not find a job, even with his advanced degree. Instead of giving up, Rhonda helped Tyler turn his simple chore of returning bottles into Tyler’s Bottle Service, a small business that now serves all of Oakland County and has been running for 12 years.

Rhonda shares the challenges they faced, the wins that kept them going, and the lessons they learned along the way. Their journey is a hopeful example of creativity, hard work, and autism employment done with dignity and purpose.

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LPH07: Lisa’s Story About Her Daughter’s Extraordinary Life and Legacy

LPH07: Lisa’s Story About Her Daughter’s Extraordinary Life and Legacy

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Join us on this episode of Let’s Plant Houses when we sit down with Lisa. Lisa talks about Shay, her daughter with complex special needs who passed away and the amazing legacy she has left. Come learn about Shay’s extraordinary life, the remarkable imprint she left on others, and the inspiring work Lisa is now doing in our communities.

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LPH06: Julie’s Experience Creating College Success With Special Needs Support for Her Son

LPH06: Julie’s Experience Creating College Success With Special Needs Support for Her Son

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In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk about special needs and higher education as we sit down with Julie, a remarkable parent walking through a unique journey. She shares how her family faced a special needs diagnosis while her son was working toward his college degree. Julie explains the challenges, the learning curve, and the push to make sure her son had the support he needed for a successful college experience.

Her story shows the power of courage, family advocacy, and steady commitment. It is a hopeful look at what is possible when families and schools work together to build an inclusive path through higher education.

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