From struggle to solution, here’s our story.
A few years ago, our founders, Joel and Debbie Pearlman, started talking about a sad inevitable: If something were to happen to them, who would take care of their daughter? And how would that person possibly know all the little nuances that make her who she is?
With that, they tried their best to document Dani’s life, but information was scattered across phones, computers and files, and some details were only in their minds.
Realizing there had to be a better way to ensure others could care for Dani, Joel and Debbie set out to build a tool that would not only ensure a seamless transition, but also serve as an essential resource for everyday life.
From there, the Dani Plan was born, bringing them – and so many others – a deep sense of comfort and confidence.
Meet Dani. The inspiration behind the Dani Plan.
Our first child, Danielle, was born on June 12, 2000. Eighteen months later, our daughter was diagnosed with autism. When my wife, Debbie, and I realized our child and her life would not be like we pictured, it was a scary and humbling experience. There is no doubt, taking care of a child with disabilities comes with its challenges. But it has also been a gift. Dani has taught us patience and appreciation of the simple things in life. And she has made us a stronger couple and family.
As Dani got older, Debbie and I realized we didn’t have a documented plan for Dani that others could use if anything were to happen to us. The thought of not having all the details of Dani’s life laid out in a way that others could understand was very disturbing. How would they remember to give Dani her medications? How would they know her favorite foods? Make sure her phone is charged so she could play her music? Make sure she has her headphones so loud sounds don’t hurt her ears? The list of details is long.
So, we started to document her plan in a Microsoft Word document. The process was tedious, unstructured and there was no easy way to share the documents securely. Years would go by without updating the document and we would have trouble locating it in our online files. It was like we were starting all over again.
I thought there must be a better way. And this inspired the idea to create the Dani Plan. A simple digital tool to help guide the process, that would be in one spot, secure, and sharable for not only future guardians, but teachers and caregivers as well. The tool could be used as a daily resource, not just for when we are gone.
Ultimately, I believe having a Dani Plan is an invaluable way of making sure your loved ones and the people taking care of them have all the information they need for a happy and easy transition. It’s the least we can do to make sure they maintain the respect and dignity they deserve.
– Joel Pearlman, Dani Plan Creator and Founder
