“Reglan… Zithromax… Phenergan… Versed.” Believe it or not, those were some of the first words Halle spoke at the age of three. Her speech was delayed due to poor oral motor tone and mild hearing loss. But slowly, she found her voice. Well… sort of. Okay, technically her first word beyond the basics was actually “fuck” ...but that’s a story for another time. Let’s just say I learned a very important lesson that year about what I could and could not say in front of my child. Jo

As this year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on everything 2025 held for me...personally and professionally. Much of that reflection brings me back to some of the most meaningful work we are doing through the Halle Grace Foundation, especially our newest endeavor, the Strength Happens podcast. For a long time, I’ve carried a deep desire to reach families in a more purposeful way. To offer not just information or resources, but a genuine sense of community and und

Giving Tuesday is almost upon us, which means it's officially time to channel your inner Halle and spread joy like it’s your superpower. If you ever got a Halle Hug, you know her kindness could flip an entire day around. She believed tiny acts of compassion could ripple out and change the world, and honestly....she was onto something there. This week on Strength Happens , Janine and I talked about the heart behind the Halle Grace Foundation and other incredible organization

Cloudy view at the top of Mount Osceola It’s been a tough few months for me. What was supposed to be a routine surgery, turned out to be more complicated than anyone expected. I was out of work for four weeks, went back for a week and a half, and then found myself home again with complications. The recovery was overwhelming and frustrating: physically, mentally, emotionally. And like most caregivers, I found myself trying to balance my own healing while still trying to show

Caregiving is one of those roles that sounds noble and meaningful and it is but it’s also exhausting, all-consuming, and sometimes...

Words matter. As both a disability professional and the mother of three children with varying forms of neurodiversity, I’ve spent the...

Whether you ease into caregiving, slowly realize you have become one, or get tossed into the deep end with no idea how to swim, as I did...

Hello! My name is Neeley Heilman, and I am Jill Heilman’s wonderful daughter (her words, not mine!). College is already a scary and...

There are moments in life you dream about but aren’t sure will ever come about. For us, one of those moments was Morgan’s high school...

August always brings that familiar back-to-school buzz for parents, but those feelings hit differently when your child is heading off to...

It’s Back-to-School Season! That time of year where you hunt down the cute backpack and matching lunch box.  Grab the $.75 box of Crayola...

When I first became a mom, I felt like I had to wear a cape. One that was always present, always attached, silently telling others that I...

Sometimes grief shows up before we even know it’s arrived. It stirs quietly beneath the surface...sharp, silent, and unannounced. That’s...

When we launched the Strength Happens  podcast through the Halle Grace Foundation, one of the goals we had in mind was to help others...

Starting a podcast sounded like a great idea over coffee. We had a story to tell—many stories, actually. Stories of motherhood,...

I turned 50 this year. My feet have arthritis. I’m in pain daily. My vision is shit. I have more wrinkles than I care to admit, and let’s...

It has a bittersweet year for us at the Foundation, as this year marked our 10th Annual Halle Grace Toy Drive and it was bigger,...

Disclaimer: The views of this post are those of myself and do not represent any entity that I have worked for or currently work for. ...

The Halle Grace Foundation had the opportunity to partner with United Healthcare’s Service Heroes Program this March during their annual...

Sometimes it only takes one person, one voice to create change. Now that I write that, I think OFTEN, change happens when one person...