Not many people can pinpoint the precise moment or specific person that sent them down their life's path. I'm lucky enough to say that I can. His name is Daniel. When I was 16 and he was 6, Daniel was my camper at the Jewish Community Center day camp in West Bloomfield, MI. It was my first summer as an inclusion counselor, meaning I was paired one-on-one with a kid with a disability, tasked with facilitating his inclusion with his peers and participation in everything the camp had to offer. 

Daniel was the ideal camper. He was sweet to everyone, enthusiastic about everything, and he remembered every name. Because of his affable nature, he was a pillar of the camp community, a welcome presence wherever he went, getting shout outs and fist bumps along the way. And I had the privilege of riding his coattails. 

Any nerves I had about being responsible for the care of a child with a disability disappeared almost immediately when I started working with Daniel. There were challenging moments, but every day that summer was fun and fulfilling. My mom pointed out to me how much she could tell I enjoyed working at the camp by how joyfully I spoke about my experiences when I came home in the evenings. She suggested there could be something to that, a career helping kids with disabilities perhaps.

In life, not much is certain. But my path to where I am now in my career is as close as it gets. The trailhead was Daniel and my time as an inclusion counselor. From there, I studied psychology to learn more about the brain and disabilities. I went to law school with the sole focus of becoming an attorney to help kids with disabilities. And then I accomplished that goal, first at a nonprofit called Disability Rights Michigan, then in private practice in Chicago, and now back home in Michigan leading a new practice area, Education Counseling, at Schluter & Hughes, an innovative firm that cares about helping people. 

Last weekend, my journey came full circle when I saw Daniel again for the first time in 20 years. His mom and I arranged a meetup at the local library. She didn't tell him they'd be seeing me when they got there and I didn't expect him to remember me or be excited to see me. Two decades is a long time. But sure enough, he came into the library, walked right up to me, and said “Brad! Hi Brad! Oh, you were my counselor at the JCC!” Fist bumps and shared memories ensued. We're both older (and grayer!), but it was like no time had passed at all. 

Reconnecting with Daniel and his family didn't just stir memories, it reaffirmed purpose. What began as a summer job became a calling. As my career evolves, Daniel's impact continues to echo through my belief in inclusion, dignity, and advocacy, and a deep gratitude for the people who guide us toward who we are meant to become.

At Schluter & Hughes, Education Counseling is all about meeting families where they are on their journey, helping navigate with confidence and advocate effectively. Our team provides everything from legal advice to in-person advocacy at school meetings to customized back-to-school checklists.

Read more about the Education Counseling Practice Area

https://www.schluterhugheslaw.com/education-counseling

PRESS RELEASE

SCHLUTER & HUGHES UNVEILS NEW ADVOCACY SERVICE FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES 

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (July 28, 2025) — As families across Michigan gear up for back-to-school season, Schluter & Hughes Law Firm is launching a new Education Counseling practice area to ensure parents get the help they need when their children experience difficulties in school that may be related to a disability. Read more

https://cdn.lawlytics.com/law-media/uploads/2830/335622/original/Education-Advocacy-Press-Release-for-website.pdf?1753719668