Inclusion Matters

SEPTEMBER 2025

From Trauma to Triumph

At just eight years old, Victoria Smith already knows who she is and what she wants to be…and she isn’t shy about telling you.

“I’m super-duper kind but a little sassy,” she told us with a grin, proudly attributing that last trait to her older sister. As the youngest of nine siblings, Victoria has learned how to hold her own in a loud but loving home full of protective brothers and sisters. “A lot of people boss me around,” she laughed. “But I’m special being the baby.”

This fall, Victoria is starting third grade in a new classroom through the BOCES program in Liverpool. It’s a big transition, but one she’s facing with excitement – especially because her best friend Josh will be right by her side. Because art plays such a meaningful role in Victoria’s life, she’s especially excited to explore the new art program at BOCES. For her, creating art is more than just a hobby – it’s a powerful outlet for expression and emotional healing. “Art holds all my stress,” she told us, suddenly serious in demeanor. That’s no small thing, because behind Victoria’s bright smile and sharp sense of humor is a child who has already lived through more than most adults ever will.

Victoria was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), a traumatic brain injury, and other complex diagnoses including ADHD, autism, and complex PTSD. Before being placed with her adoptive mother, Elizabeth, as an infant, Victoria endured significant neglect, including food deprivation and violence.

Elizabeth, who is Victoria’s fiercest advocate, has made it her mission to educate others about the disorder. “Teachers are instructed how to spot signs of autism, emotional disorders, or abuse,” she said. “But we don’t routinely screen for opiate exposure or FAS. That needs to change.” She passionately advocates for early education, especially around prenatal care, and believes both women and men should be included in conversations about substance use and its impact on unborn children. “No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy, period,” she said fervently. “And most people don’t realize that.”

Victoria’s challenges are real, but so is her progress. She works hard every day to remember basic routines most people take for granted – like brushing her teeth or even drinking water. Because of how FAS impacts her brain’s memory center, something as simple as learning a nursery rhyme can take months – and be forgotten just as quickly. “We practiced ‘Old MacDonald’ in speech therapy for six months,” Elizabeth recalled. “Then she forgot it for two years.” She also added that part of the obstacle with Victoria’s disabilities is that they are not outwardly apparent. 

Support, repetition, and empathy have made all the difference. Victoria and her family now set alarms to remind her to eat and drink, as her body doesn’t register hunger cues like others do. “I’m proud of how I’m able to eat now,” Victoria says, referencing her long journey from scavenging food to developing healthy routines. Her siblings – especially her mentor and big brother, Alex – play a key role in her success.

Alex, who recently turned 21, found his calling through his role as Victoria’s Mentor (Direct Support Staff) through Advocates. He works with his sister on things like hygiene, keeping a schedule, working on the concept of money and managing it appropriately, and safety awareness. “Like many people, Alex was a little lost after high school and didn’t know which path to take,” Elizabeth said. “Stepping up to care for Victoria like this…you could only hope to be that proud of your child.”



For Alex, caring for Victoria is second nature to him. “I’ve been close to her since day one,” he said. “It makes me feel good knowing how much I help her, and I hope she knows she’ll always have someone there for her.” This experience has been an eye-opening one for Alex, who says he is now considering going into early education and working as a teacher’s aide for children with disabilities. 

Thanks to the partnership with Advocates, Elizabeth says their family now has the confidence and resources to support Victoria in ways that truly matter. Victoria’s family is one of just 17 families receiving Limited Exception Respite through Advocates, a relatively new service provided to individuals with disabilities, typically when no other respite options are available or in urgent, exceptional circumstances. The service aims to offer temporary relief to primary caregivers, ensuring the individual continues to receive necessary support and supervision during critical times.

“This program allows us to serve a population that has historically been underserved,” said Rebecca Grabowski, Victoria’s Community Habilitation Coordinator and Respite Coordinator for Advocates. “Families are often overwhelmed, and this allows them an opportunity to breathe.” Elizabeth concurred, and expressed how invaluable the service and Advocates has been since they joined.

“Advocates opens the door for everyone receiving services to have their very specific needs understood and met,” she said. “And on top of it, you gave Alex a visual about what a career could look like.” Elizabeth also wanted to send her sincere thanks to Rebecca and Niki Dreis, Director of Family Support Services for Advocates, for being there every step of the way. “Our family appreciates having people like them in our corner,” she said. “You guys have made the process 1,000% easier and helped us navigate what is a scary landscape for so many.” For Rebecca, the feeling is mutual. “To have a family that’s so grateful and shows appreciation like they do, it makes my day better knowing I’m making a difference in somebody’s life,” she said.

When she’s not creating art or hanging with her family, Victoria enjoys gymnastics, swimming, bike riding, and playing on her tablet. She’s also an animal lover and owner of several reptiles, including an intimidating protector in her lizard, Spot. “I feel bad for the person who tries to kidnap me,” she joked, again showing a sense of humor not found in most children her age. “Because he’s huge and he bites.”

September marks Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, a cause deeply personal to both Victoria and Elizabeth. Their hope is to reduce stigma, increase education, and encourage early diagnosis, so children like Victoria can thrive, not just survive.

“My family takes good care of me,” Victoria said confidently. “They made me the ‘Loud Portuguese Princess’ I am today,” she added, referring to the nickname her family affectionately gave her.

And like any princess, Victoria is bold, brave, beautiful, full of life, and a true gift to those who love her.

Do you have a friend or family member who

would make a great Mentor?

If so, please encourage them to apply on our website.

We look forward to meeting them!

Charitable Giving Strategies to Maximize Impact and Minimize Taxes

Tuesday, September 16 @ 6pm

(virtual event)

Presented by:

Mike Fitzgerald CFP®, APMA™, CRPC™

Certified Financial Planner Practitioner

Fitzgerald Custom Wealth Planning of

Raymond James

Looking After Our Mental Health: Building Awareness & Support

Thursday, September 25 @ 6pm

(virtual event)

Presented by Kristine Knutson

Manager of Community Programs, 

Contact Community Services

Finance 101: Credit, Fraud, Awareness, Budgeting and Savings Basics

Monday, October 6th @ 6pm

(In-Person Event)

SFCU Community Space:

8062 Brewerton Road, Cicero

Presented by: Hannah VanBenthuysen (Burnett) | Financial Education Officer, SFCU

Although these events are free to attend, eligible individuals must be enrolled in our FSS Training program in order to register.

Looking for a fantastic local restaurant to try? Home Team Pub is a go-to spot for Central New York sports fans – a place to catch the game with your favorite drink and a menu that is sure to please everyone!

Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 23rd from 4–11pm and enjoy pizza, wings, home-made sandwiches, great salads, and more!

Located at 7990 Oswego Road, Home Team Pub will generously donate 15% of the proceeds back to Advocates.

Make a plan to bring your family, friends and coworkers and enjoy some of Home Team Pub’s delicious entrees while supporting children and adults with disabilities! We hope that you will join in the fun!

On behalf of our individuals, families, and employees, thank you for your anticipated support! We hope to see you there!

Time's running out to participate in our online auction, featuring gift certificates for various day trips, gift cards to local restaurants, spa and wellness packages, and much more! The auction is a great way to support our Golf Tournament and people with disabilities in the process. This auction is open to everyone! Simply click the button below to start bidding.

We thank you for your support!

Advocates Kickball is Back!

Advocates' Fall kickball league will run from October 1st through December 17th for people ages 11+ who receive services from Advocates.

The session will be held on Wednesdays from 4pm-5pm at CNY Family Sports Centre (7201 Jones Rd. Syracuse, NY 13209). The fee to participate is only $20 per person! Payments will be accepted at the Fayetteville office. Please make checks payable to:

Advocates Incorporated

Attn: Finance – Kickball

300 South Manlius St.

Fayetteville, NY 13066

We will once again be able to sign up the first 60 people that register. Click the link below to register today!

Please provide the best phone number to receive text message notifications on the registration form. We will send a text message if we must cancel due to weather or other circumstances. If you feel the weather is not suitable, please do not feel obligated to attend. Safety comes first!

Individuals must be enrolled in our FSS Recreation

program in order to register. For questions, please email Recreation@advocatesincorporated.org

We look forward to seeing everyone back on the field!

We couldn't have had a more picture-perfect day for our Family Picnic on Wednesday, Sept. 10th! Hundreds of people receiving services from Advocates and their family members/Mentors attended the event. It was great seeing so many familiar, smiling faces enjoy an afternoon of entertainment, food, and friendship!

We would like to thank Onondaga Lake Park for hosting us, our food and entertainment vendors, the personnel from the local emergency services organizations, and our friends at Empower FCU for lending a helping hand. As always, the event wouldn’t have been possible without the many Advocates staff members who selflessly dedicated their time and efforts. We thank you as well!

At Advocates, our Mentors are the bridge to independence, confidence, and community. We are so grateful for your compassion, leadership, and commitment to those we work together to support!

As we wrap up Direct Support Professional Recognition Week 2025, we'd like extend one more heartfelt "thank you" to our dedicated Mentors and Residential Coordinators! Every

act of kindness, every moment of patience, every word of encouragement — you are changing lives. Thank you for being the steady support so many rely on.  

As a token of our appreciation for our Mentors, we've held five daily drawings for $50 Amazon gift cards. Please visit our Facebook page to view our recipients, read about the inspiring work done by some of our amazing teammates, and help us pay tribute to all DSPs for their life-changing work!

Advocates' Executive Director, Amy Dugliss, and Self-Advocate, Nicholas Courgi, collaborate each month to bring you an Advocates-themed podcast! The Inclusion Matters Podcast can be found by searching "Inclusion Matters Advocates" on Amazon Music and Spotify.

We hope you'll tune in monthly to hear inspiring stories from Advocates!

In case you missed it!

Check out a previous edition's spotlight on the resilient

Monica Petrus!