Tag: Inspirational

Jessica’s House, Downtown Voices

In a world that often moves too fast, Jessica’s dinner table, filled with love, friendship, and music, reminds us what truly matters. I enter my daughter Jessica’s house.  As I walk down the narrow hall, I smile and roll my eyes at the wall, which is lined with dings from Jessica coaxing her wheelchair into three-point turns. I am almost to the dining room when I hear the tell-tale screams and claps.  Jessica knows I am here. And so does everyone else, by the way!

OMG! Jessica and I are in Exceptional Parent Magazine: A Home of Her Own

OMG! Jessica and I are featured in Exceptional Parent Magazine! 💛
“A Home of Her Own” is about hope, independence, and keeping an open mind and heart as we plan for our children’s futures. I hope our story encourages families to explore what’s possible—one step at a time.

A Celebration 95 Years in the Making

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.

68 is the New 13- My Adult Bat Mitzvah

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 […]

A Surreal Moment as an Author– My 3 Minutes of Fame

(This Author Had A TYPO (Thanks for nothing, the Autocorrect! 😂) and needed to fix the title – sorry if you receive it twice! This is a first – Never Have I Ever had somebody come up to me and ask this question.

Recipe for Disaster with a Happy Ending : Sibling Advocacy for Our Daughter With Severe Intellectual Disabilities

A choking scare in 2012 changed everything. Our son, Alex, instinct led to new safety protocols—and saved his sister Jessica from disaster.

Resilience, Community and Family Stories – Heart of the Matter

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. 

Thankful for Superhero Healthcare Folks: Bones, Scopes & Hopes

An essay about scopes and Jessica’s colonoscopy? EWWW – Don’t despair; no details are given other than a heartwarming story about healthcare providers’ unique kindness and compassion.  And we are talking about Jessica, our daughter was severe, intellectual disabilities , and things are never how you expect with our Jess.

Buffalo News Version- Mh.D. or Motherhood can be a Series of Formidable Challenges~

“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)

Rocking Babies in the NICU: Bringing Comfort and Connection to Newborns

Volunteering as a NICU Baby Rocker, I comforted fragile infants in a Level 4 NICU, providing essential touch and care. Touch is crucial for newborns, especially for those too weak to leave the incubator. Despite fears and mishaps, the experience was rewarding. My daughter’s own challenges inspired me to give back, and I am grateful for the privilege.

Jessica’s Friend Network

Facing life’s curveballs is easier with friends. These women embraced Jessica into their circle, turning it into her very own Friend Network! #RaisingJess #Friends #Disability #Inspiring #Rare Disease #Family
#RaisingJess #Friends #Disability #Inspiring #Rare Disease #Family

The Story of a Late Diagnosis and Writing Your Memoir

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ “The Gift of a Late Diagnosis” and a heartwarming reading of “The Gift of Grandparents” at minute 21:09 – Plus the journey and joy of writing your own story. #Podcast #LateDiagnosis #Grandparents #MemoirWriting #Storytelling #LetsTalkMemoir #RaisingJess #RonitPlank #Family #Disability #SpecialNeeds #Humor #RareDisease #Inspirational

Candlelit Glow of Remembrance and The Empowering Fist Pump

My beloved Mom, DiaNNe (with two N’s, or you will hear it!), battled Alzheimer’s. This year is my mom’s fourth Yahrzeit, the anniversary of her death. The date is based on the Hebrew calendar, a lunar datebook with 29 monthly days alternating with 30 days. It’s too confusing for me to calculate, so I rely […]

Letting Go: The Group Home Decision

This is our group home story. A decision woven with uncertainty, love, and, ultimately, acceptance. Was the group home decision also a decision of Letting Go? These are frequent questions I receive from families and podcast hosts, and a story worth sharing. How we went from It’s Never Happening to a Leap of Faith. An […]

Happy Anniversary, Mitch

Happy Anniversary, Mitch. Today, December 1, 2023, is our 44th wedding anniversary. Mitch and I were married in 1979. I remember when our parents were married for 25 years, and we thought that was unbelievable. 25 years sounded like an eternity, considering we were married for only 6-months. And now our marriage is 44 years, […]

Music Therapy Becomes A Love Language

Music is our daughter Jessica’s love language. She speaks it fluently. Jess is 41 years old, nonverbal, and has a rare genetic deletion (1Q 43-44). She lives in a group home with five other women who have become family. (Article in Today’s My View ) Jacob is Jessica’s music therapist and part of a local […]