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.
Mom’s Summer Vacation
Mom’s Summer Vacation Every summer my mom, Katherine Carol, hops on a plane and travels to the Dominican Republic (DR) for two weeks. It’s her
Couch Crushers
Couch Crushers At the end of April we realized that some changes were going to be forthcoming this spring/summer. Changes in Mikelle’s schedule, her staff,
It’s What Friends Do
From time to time, we at the Shining Beautiful Blog series like to post an update about Ms Mikelle and her good buddy, Jerome. They’ve
Bracelet Bloom
By Katherine Carol and Taylor Mason As the seasons transition from Winter to Spring there is a renewed sense of energy. Energy in the
For Every Time, There is a Season.
Caught in the middle of change. The Equinox has us smack dab in the middle of seasons. One day it is 70 degrees, the
It’s not March Madness, but it is Bracelet Bonanza!
March Madness does exist at Mikelle’s home, but it is more like madness for making money at her Bracelet Bonanza Party. While many things bring
Broncos or Bust: The Power of Rituals in Building Community for People with Disabilities
It has almost been a week since the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl. The pros and cons of professional football are debatable. After all,
How is your New Year Growing?
(NOTE: This is the second post in the series on Life Planting.) “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and
Mikelle and Shakespeare
Karin Carr, left, and Allison Learned star in “The Taming of the Shrew” at The Bug Theatre. (Christine Fisk, provided by Lost and Found Productions)
What Seeds are You Planting in 2016?
Let’s start this new year together! “From one small seed of our first encounter have come many harvests.” Russ Berkus Mikelle and I, along with
Three Gifts Under Our Christmas Tree 2015
Do the gifts of community come from systems or families? Intelligent, hardworking human services professionals discuss the need for inclusive communities and person-centered planning. I know,
Let’s Get Ready to Party!
It is early December and I am already thinking about the New Year. Holiday preparations are on the to-do list. The gingerbread house needs to