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The Day Everything Changed: Revisiting Halle's Diagnosis and Finding Strength in Telling Her Story
When we launched the Strength Happens podcast through the Halle Grace Foundation, one of the goals we had in mind was to help others...
Jillian Heilman
1 day ago3 min read


Podcast in Progress: Strength, Disability, Friendship, and Figuring It Out as We Go
Starting a podcast sounded like a great idea over coffee. We had a story to tell—many stories, actually. Stories of motherhood,...
Jillian Heilman
Jul 23 min read


This Is 50: Love, Loss, Laughter, and Launching a Podcast
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...
Jillian Heilman
Jun 244 min read


10 Years and Going Strong
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,...
Jillian Heilman
Jun 163 min read


Disability is DEI
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. ...
Jillian Heilman
Feb 189 min read


Servicing Others by Sprinkling a Little Sparkle and Joy
The Halle Grace Foundation had the opportunity to partner with United Healthcare’s Service Heroes Program this March during their annual...
Jillian Heilman
Mar 26, 20235 min read


The Ripple Effect
Sometimes it only takes one person, one voice to create change. Now that I write that, I think OFTEN, change happens when one person...
Jillian Heilman
Oct 20, 20223 min read


The Other Side of Disability
Some people call me a "Pollyanna," I always try to find the good in any situation. If you don't know the reference - you have to go on...
Jillian Heilman
May 17, 20224 min read


Waiting
Neeley was just wheeled back into surgery, “looped up” on a bit of versed before she is intubated. I am sitting in the waiting room. My...
Jillian Heilman
Jan 19, 20222 min read


#JoinHallesFlock
We kicked off our Bee Kind Campaign with Halle’s 21st Birthday on June 2nd this year. We, with the help of so many of you, delivered...
Jillian Heilman
Oct 11, 20212 min read


The Kindness of Others
We celebrate Halle’s birthday each year, since her passing, by trying to carry on her legacy of kindness and love. Halle was a young...
Jillian Heilman
Jun 11, 202110 min read


Normalizing the Not-So-Normal
One thing to know about the Heilman Household is – nothing is ever normal. We have a saying in our house “if it is going to happen to...
Jillian Heilman
May 15, 20219 min read


What Exactly is the Function of a Rubber Duck?
One of my favorite lines in the Harry Potter series was made by Arthur Weasley when he asked Harry, "...tell me, what exactly is the...
Jillian Heilman
Apr 26, 20215 min read


Too Many to Remember
A Facebook memory popped up today. It was dated April 22, 2014. The post read: "Halle's back in for her procedure and I have caffeine. ...
Jillian Heilman
Apr 22, 20213 min read


Passing the Torch
Today I had the opportunity to share our family’s story, of raising children living with disabilities, with a group of graduate...
Jill Heilman and Neeley Heilman
Apr 12, 20213 min read


Takeover: In Her Own Words
There is another side to pediatric disabilities and chronic illness that many do not want to talk about, or don't know how to address,...
Avery Ayan, Alysin Ayan, and Jill Heilman
Apr 8, 20219 min read


Parenting Tips of the Trade: Handy Dandy Health History
I have to start off with saying just WOW and a huge Thank You for the amazing feedback on our Takeover Blogs shared by the two young...
Jillian Heilman
Mar 25, 20218 min read


Takeover: Heart of a Champion
My sweet Neeley Jane is taking over this blog post as she shares her story with you...in her own words.
Neeley Heilman
Mar 15, 20217 min read


Hesitantly Hopeful
HOPE. Hope is a powerful word. It conjures images of anticipation…expectations…joy … and even peace. By definition, “Hope is a state of...
Jillian Heilman
Mar 9, 20215 min read


The Takeovers Have Begun
The Halle Grace Foundation Blog is going to be taken over periodically the next few months. I am so excited to welcome a few "Guest...
Ashley Valenti and Jill Heilman
Mar 4, 20215 min read

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