Uncategorized – Page 4 – Let's Plant Houses

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

By Wendy Ernzen | May 8, 2024

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

By Wendy Ernzen | April 24, 2024

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

By Wendy Ernzen | April 11, 2024

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

By Wendy Ernzen | March 27, 2024

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

By Wendy Ernzen | March 13, 2024

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

By Wendy Ernzen | February 28, 2024

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

By Wendy Ernzen | February 14, 2024

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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LPH05: Kelly Rockwell on Turning Family Advocacy Into a Coffee Shop That Creates Jobs for People With Disabilities

By Wendy Ernzen | January 24, 2024

In this episode of Let’s Plant Houses, we talk about inclusion, IDD employment, and disability advocacy as we sit down with Kelly Rockwell, a passionate parent and community leader. She shares how her journey with her daughter who has Down syndrome inspired her to use creativity and ingenuity to build a coffee shop that hires people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kelly explains how this idea grew into a social enterprise that brings real opportunity and dignity to adults with IDD.

Her story shows the power of inclusion, family love, and community support. It is a hopeful look at what can happen when parents and advocates work to build a better future for people with disabilities.

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LPH04: Star’s pursuit for the best education for her daughter

By Wendy Ernzen | January 11, 2024

Join us on this episode of Let’s Plant Houses as we sit down with Star, an amazing parent who shares her deeply personal journey of navigating a special needs diagnosis and the pursuit of finding the right special education environment for her daughter. Through an honest conversation about her daughter’s needs, Star’s advocacy, special education and IEPs, she illuminates the challenges faced, the pivotal moments of discovery, and the transformative power of the right educational placement place for her child.

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LPH03: Jenni empowered her son with autism to find employment

By Wendy Ernzen | January 11, 2024

Join us on this episode of Let’s Plant Houses as we sit down with Jenni, an extraordinary parent who shares the inspiring story of their autistic son’s employment journey in securing a job. Through candid and uplifting conversation, her family exemplifies the powerful impact of perseverance.

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