I’m an award winning magazine writer, with articles published in over twenty national publications, including Glamour, Self, Parents, Health, In Style, Newsweek and the New York Post. Recent honors have included being a finalist in the 2012 National Magazine Awards (considered the top honor in magazine journalism) for a piece I did for Redbook on the upswing in “mommy tucks” and a recipient of the prestigious Front Page Award from the Newswomen’s Club of New York for a series for Health magazine. I usually write about health and fitness, although occasionally I do write about something completely different and random (like a resurgence in swinging in last March’s issue of Self). I feel lucky that I have a career that lets me work from home and be near the kids. Quite frankly, with all of Johanna’s therapies I would have struggled had it been any other way.
Before I had kids, I was an avid runner (three time marathoner) and sometimes triathlete. I’ve also gone sky diving and bungee jumping in Queensland, dove with sharks in Australia, and been thisclose to ferocious wild lions in an African safari. Today, my live is much less glamorous–and much more focused on the mundane like poopy diapers and spit up. But it’s still fun.
your kids are beautiful! good luck with the blog!
By: amy silverman on September 9, 2010
at 2:23 pm
Hi Hallie,
I found your blog via your piece in Parenting. I just thought I’d stop by and say hi and to say that I’ve enjoyed your writing here-the Sesame Place piece was hilarious and SO true. I also wanted to say that I’m in NJ and also work in magazines. It’s a small world!
Hope Johanna is feeling better, and I look forward to reading more of your blog!
By: maya on October 11, 2010
at 8:35 pm
Hallie, your masterful writing about JO-JO goes right to my heart, Grandpa David
By: david on January 12, 2011
at 1:28 am
I, like the comment up above, found your blog due to an article you had written for Parents Magazine. I like to read about your candid experiences with Down Syndrome. I have 2 wonderful boys, ages 6 1/2 and 2 1/2. Our younger son has Downs. I love to read anything inspiring about DS. Thanks.
By: Cheryl on September 28, 2011
at 1:19 am
Hello, I have a quick question for you about your site. If you could please get back to me at your earliest convenience I would greatly appreciate it. Have a great day!
Thanks,
Emily Patterson
Marketing Support Coordinator
Primrose Schools
By: Emily Patterson on December 12, 2011
at 9:09 pm
In 2000 a writer, Hallie Levine, wrote an article in YM about a girl who had Narcolepsy. I did a google search for the name and found this blog. Do you happen to be the person who wrote the article?
By: Hannah Pratt on February 10, 2012
at 10:31 pm
yes I am! Is this the Hannah I interviewed? If so how are you doing?
By: halliesklar on February 21, 2012
at 4:47 am
Yes, it is me. I am doing well. I was thinking about the article you wrote back then and thinking about it now makes me laugh… I couldn’t resist looking you up.
By: Hannah Pratt on February 22, 2012
at 5:25 am
Hello, I read your story in LHJ. I also have a special needs child who is now a teen. You can’t tell what his special need is because it’s inside him. I too had mom’s not invite us to playdates because my boy was “too hyper”. I Got The Look everywhere we went. My husband never noticed The Look but I did. I was hypersensitive to it and maybe even looked for it in people’s eyes. Ithought he was so wonderful but unfortunately others (friends and strangers) didn’t. People are “funny” and not in a haha way.
By: Anna on March 20, 2012
at 12:44 am
I just read about the story about your DARLING JOJO in the April Ladies Home Journal. Im not really sure what to say that you don’t already know: you know Johanna is a beautiful little person, you know she’s full of hopes & dreams, you know she’s made exactly the way she was intended to be made. I do too!! I love her sweet little face and her beautiful eyes. It breaks my heart that everyone can’t see how perfect she is. I’m sure it has been hard at times to not scream from the top of your lungs that she is who she is and deserves just as much respect & compassion as the “normal” kids. That’s such a bad word. Normal. Who made that definition apply to people, anyway?? Sorry… I’ll quit ranting. My original intent was to just say thank you for the story!!
By the way, I love her name. I have a good friend named Jojo too. (And yes, her real name is Johanna!!)
By: Holly on March 21, 2012
at 2:28 am
Hi,
I’ve read your article about back pain. I have to say that it is pretty incorrect to think that “Women are particularly susceptible to pain because they lug around extra weight every day…” NO 1 back pain reason is unconscious physiological state of the person. And the reason women have more back pain is not because the purses etc. It is same reason why mostly women get fibromyalgia. 9 in 10 people with back pain that I see having it only because of the internal state of the mind. Sigmund Freud cured these kind issues 120 years ago and today there are doctors doing it as well but not many. Most people [you included] looking at the back issues as physical-only matter. Sometimes [like with disc herniations] it is only a trigger but once physiological factor is removed, the herniation is not causing much pain anymore. Take things like fibromyalgia, mid-life crisis and even carpal tunnel syndrome. I’ve seen people miraculously recovering from all 3 of these without surgery or medication, with only physiological, cognitive therapy. Look seriously at works of Dr. John Sarno. This man is a genius medical community dismisses unfortunately. Not everyone supported Darwin either.
Thankfully, his works were noted by some members of the government and on Feb14 Dr Sarno was in congressional hearings.
By: Antony on April 15, 2012
at 3:08 am
I have read your article in LHJ and I wanted to let you know how blessed you are to have JoJo. I used to coach Special Olympics gymnastics when I was 18 and all I remember is how blessed I was to have those kids teach me all that they did. I built fantastic relationships with them and stayed in touch for years to come. Finally, at the age of 35, I realized my passion and went back to get my Masters in SPED. I have been teaching for 6 years now and have not once woke up and felt that “ugh, I have to go to work feeling”….I really love what I do, I would like to start an organization that will make a difference in the lives of children that get looked at differently in public, a place for them to feel normal and allow others to see their amazing beauty! Continue to count your blessings each day, counting Jo Jo twice (she sure will bring you joy and amazement). Let me know if you have any sources I should contact. God Bless! – Lisa
By: Lisa Stern on April 21, 2012
at 3:14 am
amen —- grandpa
By: grandpa david on May 14, 2012
at 3:40 pm
I was recently reading your article in the June issue of HEALTH magazine, about “Your Knees”. It was very informative and wonder if there is a website that I could pass on with this information. My husband is currently working in Columbia So. America and is having a problem with one of his knees. Would like to refer some info to him to read that might help.
Thank you, Cris
By: Cristine Murphy on May 21, 2012
at 5:11 am
I’m looking for the Hallie Levine who was a photographer at MacDowell Arts Colony in 1989 or so. Have i found the right person? She photographed me. Now the photograph is in a film about my music. Please contact me if this is my Hallie, thanks, Bunita Marcus
B@bunitamarcus.com
By: Bunita Marcus on September 15, 2012
at 1:06 am
Hi Hallie,
Today, during Sandy, the East Coast “Frankenstorm” I was working on my vision boards. As I was leafing through the LHJ I saw Jojo and my immediate thought was…. She is adorable, simply gorgeous and look at the life in her that they captured in these pictures… Then I read your article. Granted, I am a Speech Pathologist who works with all kids including Down’s but Jojo took my breath away!!! And all that…… before I read the article.
Just thought you should know how some of us appreciate and love kid’s like Jojo’s unique gifts and lessons. I never cease to be amazed at the what I can learn from them every day. She is lucky to have you.
Have a great day!!
Vonnie
By: Vonnie on October 29, 2012
at 7:05 pm
Hallie,
I found your piece through parenting.com and wanted to reach out. It’s been so long and I’d love to be back in touch. Your writing is as strong as ever. Would love to connect.
Lauren Keller Galit
By: Lauren Keller Galit on March 11, 2013
at 12:06 am