Let’s Plant Houses shares heartfelt stories from families living with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Host Wendy Ernzen brings families together for warm conversations about daily challenges, parenting, inclusive living and special needs parenting. The families who join the show are powerful advocates who build smart and practical solutions for employment, housing, services and long term support for their loved ones with IDD. Their ideas often ripple through the disability community and support many other families along the way. Join us every other week as we celebrate a new family story. Learn more about the show at www.letsplanthouses.com or email Wendy at letsplanthouses@gmail.com.
Publisher
Wendy Ernzen
Category
health & fitness · kids & family · society & culture
LPH74: Sara Grezlik and Curt Lawson Team Up for Autism Safety
What could help someone with autism feel safer during a police encounter?
On Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with Sara Grezlik, a parent of a son with autism, and Curt Lawson, the City of Franklin’s Chief of Police, about improving communication with first responders. Sara shares how her family’s experience and her work with the Autism Alliance of Michigan inspired her to reach out to her local police department.
Together, we explore Franklin’s Autism Emergency Response Support Program and the Safety Support Information Form. These tools help people share sensory needs, communication preferences, and emergency contacts so officers can better understand and respond. We also discuss how parents, self-advocates, and police can work together to bring similar programs to their communities. A safer, more understanding community can start with one conversation.
More about the show…
Learn more about City of Franklin’s Autism Emergency Response Support Program: https://www.franklin.mi.us/departments/police_department/safety_support.php (https://www.franklin.mi.us/departments/police_department/safety_support.php)
Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen/).
Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/ (https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/)
Follow LPH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses/ (https://www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses/)
Follow LPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsplanthouses/ (https://www.facebook.com/letsplanthouses/)
Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com (mailto:letsplanthouses@gmail.com).
Thank you!
6 Oct 2026
LPH73: DeeAnn and Emily Uhlarik: Making Inclusion Part of Family Life
What helps a person with Down syndrome feel truly included?
On Let’s Plant Houses, we talk with mother DeeAnn Uhlarik and her daughter Emily about Ellie, DeeAnn’s youngest daughter and Emily’s younger sister, who has Down syndrome. From childhood leukemia to adult employment, they share how sibling support, a supportive family, and a caring community have helped them through hard times and joyful milestones.
We also explore Emily’s research on making communication more accessible for people with intellectual disabilities, starting with everyday family conversations. DeeAnn and Emily also talk about guardianship, future care, and why siblings need their feelings heard, too. Their story reminds us how much is possible when people are understood, respected, and included.
29 Sept 2026
LPH72: Mary McDirmid on Special Needs Trusts and Disability Financial Planning
How do you plan for your child’s future when you know you won’t always be there?
Special needs financial planning, ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, and government benefits can feel overwhelming, but getting started can protect your loved one’s future. I talked with Mary McDirmid, CEO of All Needs Planning, certified special needs consultant, co-author of Care, Protect, Grow, and mom to Ruth, her daughter with the rare disease tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).
We talk about how Ruth’s diagnosis changed Mary’s family and her work as a financial planner, and why families need to think beyond today’s caregiving needs. We also covered protecting Medicaid and Social Security benefits, using ABLE accounts and special needs trusts, preparing for adult housing and care, and recognizing everything parents do as caregivers.
Her message is a reassuring one: you don’t have to figure out the entire future today. You just have to take the next step.
More about the show…
Learn more about Mary McDirmid and All Needs Planning: https://allneedsplanning.com/ (https://allneedsplanning.com/)
Find more information about LPH host, Wendy Ernzen https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyernzen/).
Real stories. Real insights. Real life. Join the LPH newsletter: https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/ (https://www.letsplanthouses.com/newsletter/)
Follow LPH on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses/ (https://www.instagram.com/letsplanthouses/)
Follow LPH on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsplanthouses/ (https://www.facebook.com/letsplanthouses/)
Feel free to contact Wendy Ernzen via email: letsplanthouses.com (mailto:letsplanthouses@gmail.com).
Thank you!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
41
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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Guest appearances
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