(My 7-year-old granddaughter’s bright idea about aging, energy, and Nana’s dim headlamp leads to a profound revelation.) The Walk My granddaughter and I were walking around my block last night, each of us wearing our headlamp and reflective gear. Noa’s, age 7, headlamp was bright and vibrant. Vickie, age 69, had the other headlamp that […]
The cell phone rings, and my husband, Mitch, answers. “Hi, it’s Jacob.” “Hey, Jacob, what’s up?” Mitch replies. This is not just any friend; this is a call from our Amish buddy. How are they using a phone, and what did he want? How did we help? And how would we have survived in the Amish community raising our daughter Jessica? Our Amish story unfolds one horse hoof at a time.
I am not saying our life wasn’t hard. At times, life was exhausting, isolating, and stressful. Yet the joys outweighed the hard times, and when I look back, I see the good times, the milestones, the strength, and the extraordinary moments unique to our experience.
Moving with a family member with a disability? Discover essential tips to make the process smoother and less stressful for your family.
Happy Birthday, Jess – Chapter 1 – Raising Jess: A Story of Hope- April 11, 1982, The beginning of our story. As the months passed, the doctor continued to assure us that Jess was fine. I continued to question all her delays. Welcome to Motherhood.
In Noa’s classroom, my dog Gus and I both have lessons to learn—mine: “get off your phone”; his: “stop eating from the garbage.” We take our seats (mine cross-legged, his…loosely interpreted), and class begins. Within minutes, my phone is confiscated, Gus is barely paying attention, and somehow, I’m the one who ends up in the principal’s office. And I learn: To slow down and be present.
As seen in Buffalo News – My View – My husband Mitch refers to my childhood home as “Tara,” the glorious homestead featured in the movie Gone with the Wind. My Tara was not antebellum style; it was more suburban Long Island ante-chic. But to me, it was home.
This past December, our family gathered to celebrate my dad’s 95th birthday—a milestone marked not just by years, but by love, generosity, humor, and the legacy he continues to pass forward. Through stories shared by children, grandchildren, and in-laws, we honored a man who led by example, embraced change, loved deeply, and showed us that family is life’s greatest success. It was a reminder that growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional, and a life well lived leaves a lasting imprint on generations.
The morning of October 12th, I sat at my desk practicing Hebrew for my Bat Mitzvah that evening. I am not 13—traditional age for becoming a Bat Mitzvah in front of family, friends, and the community —that ship passed 55 years ago. Six months back, I saw a notice at our Temple – Congregation […]
My Thanksgiving ThankFULL list – GEEZ! I hope I didn’t forget anybody—Heartfelt, Humorous, & always Personal – HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y’ALL! 🦃 #Thanksgiving #RaisingJess #Family #Tofurkey #TurkeyDay #BuffaloTurkeyTrot #Humor #Gratitude
Our daughter Jessica is 43 and has severe intellectual disabilities. This is a parent’s perspective of defining our daughter by her abilities and strengths, seeing past the disability.
Bravery isn’t always loud—it’s Mitch’s calm, my panic-to-strength, and Jessica facing the unimaginable every time
Mitch and I were watching The Gilded Age. As usual, I was half-asleep on the couch when I saw something flying.
“Is that a bird?” I asked.
Mitch already knew it was NOT a bird and was trying to decide what to do with me and the EEEEK! BAT!
When we moved our daughter Jess into a group home at age 25, it felt like we were giving up. 💔
But as Colin Farrell shared about his son James—what’s the alternative?
If something happened to us tomorrow, where would she go? Who would ensure her safety, dignity, and quality of life?
Colin’s words resonated deeply with me. Like him, we realized that planning —while we were healthy—was an act of love.
Today, Jess has:
✨ A home in her community
✨ Housemates who feel like sisters
✨ A life full of connection, friendship, and independence
And we are still at the center of her world—just in a different way.
To other parents navigating this decision: you’re not giving up. You’re building the future your child deserves.
A choking scare in 2012 changed everything. Our son, Alex, instinct led to new safety protocols—and saved his sister Jessica from disaster.
Many years ago, during the Fiddler on the Roof rehearsal, the team felt something was missing from the show. They believed it needed a setup. What is the show about? What are we trying to say? They decided it was the Tradition of the Jewish families in Russia. That night, they wrote the new opening number, Tradition.
My texts with friends are emoji chaos, but with my millennial kids. It’s like 🚫🥰 not ❤️. Where’s the fun in that? & GO BILLS! 🏈🦬
#Emoji #Buffalo #BuffaloBills #JoshAllen #RaisingJess #Boomers #Millennials #Generations
The F-word? Why does your mind immediately go there? That’s not what I meant at all-Read to see the real meaning of F-words & some H-words!
Okay, let me explain Vick Squared. First, it’s Vickie (me) and Vicki (Atkinson, who is also a Ph.D, so she has even more letters! One of the hosts). Wynne is the Heart of the Matter ( HoTM ) co-host and an enthusiast of endurance sports. They both host Heart of the Matter, they focus on the importance of intergenerational wellness and healing. They believe writing and storytelling can build resilience for the future by exploring what matters most in life: connection, laughter, empathy and authenticity.
Whether facing challenges or looking for inspiration, “Raising Jess” will show that thriving is possible, no matter what life throws your way
Click Here to Read the Article in Newsweek’s My Turn. If you are unable to read in Newsweek – Here is article below: You’re Next
(Article written in 2008) This article was posted in the Buffalo News in 2008 – I am re-posting it today because Former President Donald Trump called Vice President Kamala Harris “retarded” while attempting to convince top Republican donors to pour more money into his campaign, The New York Times reported Saturday. In most homes a […]
Noa was due on my birthday but, of course, she had her own plans! Now we’re celebrating together—Noa style, adoring, adornment and all! #Birthday #Nana #Generation #Celebration #Diva #foodanddrink #RaisingJess #Daughter #Granddaughter #Birthday
“Stop the presses! My article made the Buffalo News, My View column! 🌟 If you’re reading this twice… well, it’s just that exciting! 🎉 Sorry for the déjà vu!” ;0)