School trips at MJDS have always been planned with inclusion in mind, and Benji and Giulietta have been active participants in every outing. From local excursions to trips to Montreal and Quebec City, the goal has always been for them to be fully involved alongside their classmates. Teachers, support staff, and peers worked together to make school activities accessible and engaging for every student. Classmates played an important role in inclusion by offering help when neede

A Bar Mitzvah is a significant milestone in the Jewish faith, embarking on a  transition into adulthood at the age of 13. Everyone at the school, from the Principal, Teachers, classmates, and parents of friends, and guests, came together to create a truly deeply meaningful  celebration of Benji. By hosting this significant milestone at his school's synagogue, the event created a unique bridge between educational and cultural spaces where Benji had grown up.  A Day of Recognit

In 2017, Benji underwent bilateral derotation osteotomy surgery, a significant procedure that required him to take months off from his regular activities. This surgery was not just a physical challenge; it was a journey that encompassed much more than just recovery. Benji essentially had to relearn many of the basic skills we often take for granted, including how to walk. This process was undoubtedly daunting, but Benji faced it with remarkable bravery and resilience.   Throu

Benji has found a meaningful way to contribute to his community by volunteering at Baycrest, where he helps keep the cafeteria clean. Each Tuesday, Benji approaches his volunteer tasks with focus . Using his checklist, he gathers items like spray bottles and cloths and completes each step in order. The checklist provides a clear, visual guide that helps him stay organized and confident as he works. This structure allows him to complete his tasks independently and feel a sense

For quite some time now, Giulietta has been an active part of the Yachad program, an inclusive space where individuals build friendships, develop social skills, and participate in meaningful group activities. Yachad has truly become a community for Giulietta. Building Confidence Through Connection Each session at Yachad begins with an hour of free choice. This is one of Giulietta’s favourite parts of the evening. During this time, Giulietta is encouraged to communicate using

A Sister Who Makes a Real Difference Siena (Sisi) Kleiner-Fisman is an important part of Benji and Giulietta’s lives. She’s not only their sister but also a consistent support and teammate in many of the things they do. Sisi takes part in their learning, helps them during different activities, and contributes to their growth in a practical, hands-on way. Her commitment to inclusion shows in her actions, and she often encourages the people around her to think more inclusively

Shovel to Ground: Benji's Laneway Suite For the past few years, Galit has been working closely with a builder to design the perfect laneway suite for Benji. Now 21 years old, Benji is ready for a space that reflects who he is and supports the life he deserves, one with purpose, dignity, and independence, while still ensuring he has the assistance he needs. The suite is being built in the backyard, allowing Benji to have his own home while staying connected to his family and f

"Eighteen-year-old Benji Fisman was born with a rare genetic disorder yet despite his complex medical issues Fisman recently celebrated his first anniversary working at IKEA. A personalized plan was set in place to help Fisman achieve workplace goals. Today he's enjoying a life of remunerated employment, increased independence and a sense of belonging with a large and cohesive workplace team. Susan Hay has the story." - Global Celebrating Work and Growth Benji has been making

Learning Through Covid The COVID-19 pandemic brought unique challenges for Benji and Giulietta’s learning. Much of their programming relies on community-based activities, trips to the mall, social circles, volunteer experiences, and hands-on learning in real-world settings. When everything shut down, these opportunities weren’t available, and we had to rethink how to keep them engaged and making progress toward their goals. We got creative when schools and community programs

Because Giulietta is non-verbal, traditional resumes and interviews don’t highlight her strengths or the way she communicates. A visual resume allowed us to show her abilities in a clear and accessible way. When it comes to hiring, traditional resumes and interviews often focus on verbal communication and standard qualifications. But some people communicate differently or non-verbally and have so much to offer. Giulietta’s story shows how creativity and a fresh perspective ca

Hello! My name is Breanna. I began working with Benji and Giulietta in August 2022. Before joining the team, I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at York University and earned my Social Service Worker Diploma from George Brown College. It was during a Disability Discourse class at George Brown that I discovered my passion for supporting individuals with disabilities. When I first met Benji, Giulietta, and their team, I was genuinely inspired. They were actively e

Hello! My name is Analyn. I completed my undergraduate degree in Nursing and a diploma in Information Technology in the Philippines. At first, I dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, but my hope was always to come to Canada, work hard, and build a better life for myself. Although I didn’t have family here, I had a few friends in British Columbia and Alberta. Before coming to Canada, I worked in Hong Kong as a live-in nanny for three years, caring for three children—aged thr

Hello! My name is Myles. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing in the Philippines and have always dreamed of working as a nurse. Before coming to Canada, I worked in Hong Kong as a live-in caregiver, where I gained experience caring for young children and managing a household. A few years later, I applied for a childcare worker position in Canada and came across the opportunity to work with Galit and her children. I was excited because it meant I could work with kids wh

Hello! I am Lindsay. I always knew I wanted to work with children from a young age. My passion began when I completed my co-op placement in a special needs classroom, which inspired me to pursue my Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma and later a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Leadership. Before I started working with Benji and Giulietta, I spent many years working in the field, supporting children in daycares and providing 1:1 care for individuals with disabilities.

Benji hard at work on the farm, focused and proud as he completes his tasks. Our First Visit to Windreach Farm When we first started volunteering at Windreach Farm back in 2018, we had no idea how deeply it would impact our lives. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was so inviting and welcoming that we instantly felt a connection, not only to the farm itself, but also to the people who make it so special. There’s an indescribable feeling that comes from belonging to a

Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS), also known as 22q13 deletion syndrome, is a rare genetic condition caused by the loss or dysfunction of the SHANK3 gene, along with other genes essential for building neural networks. SHANK3 plays a vital role in brain development, and its absence is one of the known genetic causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While PMS affects each individual differently, Benji and Giulietta share this genetic diagnosis but experience it in their own uni

Giulietta has always loved music. She lights up whenever she hears a guitar, ukulele, or piano, and she’s happiest when there’s music playing around her. Whether it’s a live band at a festival or someone strumming a tune at home, she’s completely captivated by the sounds and rhythms. Music brings her so much joy, it’s a big part of who she is. Giulietta developed a deep love for music from an early age and enjoyed listening to anyone play the guitar and her mom play the piano

Shown here is a standard example of a pre-programmed Proloquo layout. Finding Her Voice: Giulietta’s Journey to AAC Giulietta was diagnosed with verbal apraxia and received extensive speech therapy, including early intervention with the PROMPT method, but made no measurable progress. While her receptive language skills were strong, she was unable to produce verbal speech. At age five, her communication goals transitioned to focus on AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communica

Exploring Therapies: Giulietta’s Journey Giulietta's low muscle tone was present at birth. By 3 months of age, an OT was consulted, and craniosacral therapy began. Craniosacral therapy is a hands-on technique that uses light touch on the skull, spine, and sacrum to release tension and support the nervous system, potentially helping babies with developmental delays improve comfort, mobility, and overall function. Giulietta did not benefit from this approach. OT was also sought