It can be hard to know where to start. The paint sets get knocked over, the music is too loud, the instructions feel vague — and suddenly art time becomes stress time. But for parents of children with special needs, the arts aren’t just nice-to-have activities. They’re lifelines. Creative expression offers structure without rigidity, emotion without pressure, and joy without preconditions. If your child struggles with communication, sensory integration, or focus, art might become their clearest and safest language. What matters is that you’re looking for a way in.
Tag: Special Needs
I Am Not Defined by Disability: Seeing our Daughter Through Strength, not Disability
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.
Seizures and Bravery
Bravery isn’t always loud—it’s Mitch’s calm, my panic-to-strength, and Jessica facing the unimaginable every time
Dear Colin Farrell-Group Home Story
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.
Two Years for a Teeth Cleaning: A Dental Story with a Happy Ending
After 2 years of waiting, a confusing policy, a last-minute call, and one amazing doctor, Jessica finally made it to the OR— A Dental Story
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.
UNIQUE Little Red Book: Our Daughter, with a Severe Intellectual Disability, Story in an International Book 📕
A rare genetic diagnosis gave us a name, a global community—and a spot in the not-so-little UNIQUE Red Book.
Creative Ways to Support Kids with Disabilities
The world isn’t built with every child in mind. Embrace creativity and flexibility to unlock doors where the standard system falls short for your child. Read for Creative learning ideas!
Happy Birthday, Jessica
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.
Write, Delete, Repeat: The Blogger’s Block and Navigating Views
Blogger’s block: the struggle is real. Symptoms include excessive deleting, obsessive view-count checking, and questioning life choices. Write Delete Repeat!” #writersBlock #BloggersBlock #Communication #RareDisease #Creativity #RaisingJess
Caring for the Caregiver: 7 Essential Self-Care Strategies for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Strategies to guide parents of children with special needs integrate self-care into your routine, ensuring you remain balanced and energized.
My View: Life’s Battles Continue Regardless of Circumstances: Medical Appointments with our Daughter with Severe Intellectual Disabilities 
As seen in Buffalo News, Jessica’s hygienist writes a new chapter each visit— “How to dodge bites, flails while using sharp tools!” 🦷
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.
Raising Jess: A Story of Hope – A Gift For All Readers
Whether facing challenges or looking for inspiration, “Raising Jess” will show that thriving is possible, no matter what life throws your way
R- Word Cuts Like a Knife
(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 […]
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
Balancing Personal and Professional Goals as a Parent of Child with Special Needs
Parenting a child with disabilities impacts personal & professional life. Achieving balance requires thoughtful strategies and adjustments.
WOW! Memorial Day Wishes and Kind of a Writing Break
Book promo isn’t easy, but WOW! moments keep me going. When I receive your feedback about Raising Jess, It Reminds me why I do what I do!
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
Retirement Does Not Mean Retiring from Life (& OMG! I’m on PBS!)
Thank you for the 2-min. interview, PBS – Retirement does not mean retiring from life. It’s an opportunity to rediscover forgotten interests.
NYT Quiz
“Ah, Friday – the day when I question my entire week’s worth of news intake, hoping it’s enough to secure victory in the family NYT quiz showdown.
Jessica’s First and Last Hip Surgery: A Lesson in Advocacy
Jessica’s risky hip surgery led to severe blood loss. Our parental instincts showed the need to fiercely advocate for our daughter.
I’m Not A Whippet -A Tail of IGGY Misidentification!
I am Not a Whippet! I am an IGGY. But the worst inDOGnation, is my dog stroller. Oh, paw-lease! How did I succumb to this?