Guest: Jane Fischer
Episode Overview
What happens when a devastating prognosis becomes the beginning of an extraordinary life? Jane Fischer shares the remarkable story of her daughter, Susie, who was born with significant neurological disabilities and was initially expected never to walk, talk, or learn. Decades later, Susie has repeatedly pushed beyond those expectations while navigating Joubert syndrome, kidney failure, two transplants, thyroid cancer, and lifelong challenges.
Jane explains how love, early stimulation, advocacy, perseverance, and family support helped Susie build a meaningful life—and how raising her transformed Jane into an educator and advocate for families of children with special needs. Their story offers a powerful lesson in resilience: a diagnosis may describe a challenge, but it does not have to define a person's possibilities.
Key Takeaways
- Never let a prognosis become a permanent definition. Susie repeatedly achieved things doctors initially believed would be impossible.
- Advocacy can change lives. Jane's experience led her to help develop special education PTAs, social groups, and a high-school life-skills program.
- Love and support are powerful forces. Jane credits family involvement and consistent encouragement as central to Susie's journey.
- Resilience means continuing through setbacks. Susie faced kidney failure, two transplants, thyroid cancer, and neurological challenges without giving up.
- Challenges can become a source of service. Jane turned her family's experience into decades of helping other children and parents.
Listener Q&A
What is Joubert syndrome?
Jane explains that Susie was eventually diagnosed with the rare syndrome after an MRI revealed a characteristic neurological sign. Genetic testing also showed that both Jane and her husband carried the rare gene associated with Susie's condition.
How did Jane respond to doctors' early prognosis for Susie?
She refused to accept institutional placement as the answer and began searching for resources, therapies, and ways to help her daughter progress.
What helped Susie keep overcoming challenges?
Jane emphasizes Susie's tenacity, determination, family support, stimulation, and love—as well as Susie's own desire to keep trying.
What is the central message of Jane's story?
Don't surrender to "never." Jane wants families and anyone experiencing hardship to recognize that what matters is how they respond to the challenges life gives them.
What You'll Learn From This Episode
- How parents can become powerful advocates for children with special needs.
- Why perseverance matters when facing an intimidating diagnosis or prognosis.
- How family support can encourage development, confidence, and independence.
- How Jane transformed personal hardship into advocacy and service.
- Why resilience isn't the absence of struggle—it's continuing to move forward through it.
Connect with Jane Fischer:
Instagram — @janefischerauthor
Facebook — @janefischerauthor
Website: www.janefischer.com
Click here to claim your free gift: The Pushing Past "Never" Resilience Guide
