Mikelle and I feel compelled to write about life with a disability, not just the challenges but the opportunities, the friendships, the innovations, and the brilliance of our communities in action as we share our everyday life living with a disability. With a little more information, motivation, we hope to share how our life is shining beautiful and maybe help you to shine beautiful, too.
Welcome to 2019
The Christmas tree is back in the box. Time to put out the welcome mat for 2019. Most of us are tired from all the holiday shuffle and are tempted to fall into the warm arms of a comfy chair, cover ourselves with a cozy quilt, and sip tea as
The Spirit of Christmas Shines Beautiful at Our Home
The ornaments are up on the tree, the garland glitters, and the string of lights twinkle like stars in the night. A mound of wrapping paper is stacked next to gifts not yet wrapped. The sacred holiday nears. Packages arrive on doorsteps with the wish that not a single porch
October is National Disability Employment Month!
The leaves are turning, the colors are rich this year with oranges and reds. In Denver, we have had our first brush with winter. October marks the seasonal advent of fall and it is also National Disability Employment Month. This month, let’s celebrate Colorado’s Employment First efforts and the passage
How is Employment First Down Under?
Here at Shining Beautiful, we advocate for employment for people with disabilities. Mikelle has been working in some form or fashion since she was sixteen years old. In the very near future, Mikelle and I are starting a podcast featuring interviews and discussions with advocates, employment specialists, thought leaders and
Having Morning Meltdowns and Homework Headaches?
A little prevention and preparation will improve your child’s school performance this year. By the time you read this blog post, school will have started in your community. Fresh school supplies are beginning to show some wear, and once clean backpacks are starting to collect small items portending a favorite
Cool Ideas for Getting TechFit.
The dog days of summer have arrived. Hot, humid days cling to the ground where fireworks fizzled just a few short weeks ago. The barbeque has cooled, and there just isn’t is ever enough ice tea—sweet or unsweet. The family dog is either under the air conditioner or panting from
Can You Speak Mikelle?
Get TechFit and TechStrong. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Areas in life, once strong become weak. It was a gradual weakening, one we didn’t notice until it was obvious. Mikelle’s voice was growing quieter. The digital voice we had become so accustomed to was increasing silent as
Momma Mikelle….the Circle of Support Goes Both Ways
“When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom ‘Let it be’ And in my hour of darkness She is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom ‘Let it be’.” -The Beatles When you are at your weakest, be
How Do Parents Teach Self-Determination?
As a young mom, I recall Mikelle’s sweet stretched out yawns, her gentle infant coos and the terrible fear of the dreaded baby swing that threw her into a startle so severe she thought she would fall to the ground. I remember the many attempts to help her learn to
Ninja Warrior Parenting…Can we go overboard?
As families with special needs, we develop almost ninja-like warrior skills in fighting for our kids. We are strong, even when we feel weak. We speak out, even when we are shy. We believe in our kids, even when others don’t. We are courageous, even when our hearts ache. Our
Sometimes Love is Letting Go
DisAbility sends a family racing towards a destiny no one is ever prepared to have. Our lives cross over the line of “normal” into the land of special. The terrain is beautiful, mountainous and rarely peaceful. As a result, we grow protective and try to shield our family member from
Love is Like a Box of Chocolates, Right?
“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”- Forrest Gump Valentine’s Day and chocolates go hand and hand, like peas and carrots. Do you remember Valentine’s Day was a big deal when you were a child? Boxes of chocolate