Raising a Child with Disabilities: Jane Fischer on Pushing Past “Never”

When Jane Fischer’s daughter Suzy was born in 1974, doctors said she would never walk, talk, or learn. Suzy spent the next five decades proving them wrong. It wasn’t until Suzy was in her late 30s that the family finally learned the name for what she’d been living with all along: Joubert syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Today, Suzy works in a preschool and lives on her own with support. In this episode, Jane discusses what it was like to raise a daughter with disabilities, push past the doctors’ predictions, and help Suzy build a life of her own. “ Predictions are not promises. Nobody knows your child like you." - Jane Fischer on Tell Me What It’s Like Hear Jane talk about: The day Suzy was born, and the doctors’ advice to send her away Finding help for a child with disabilities before Google How raising Suzy tested her marriage Shadowing Suzy at school, and the difference between inclusion and tolerance Why doctors call Suzy a medical miracle How a decades-long mystery was finally named Joubert syndrome What she’d go back and tell herself in that hospital room Mentioned in this episode: If You Knew Suzy: Pushing Past the Boundaries of Never by Jane Fischer Joubert syndrome ECLC of New Jersey Maplebrook School Jespy House Support This Show: Follow Tell Me What It’s Like in your favorite podcast app Leave a rating & review — it helps others find the show Share the episode and tag @RaineMediaCo on social media