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.

Poetic Protests: In Celebration of Civil Rights

  Will we have to March for Medicaid? It is the dawn of a new year and perhaps, a new era. As Martin Luther King’s birthday approached,  I had no idea how this would play out within just days of this National Holiday. Congress is swiftly moving on a new

Getting Down with the Gilmore Girls

It was nine o’clock on a late Winter’s morning at Mikelle’s condo on Clarkson Street in the heart of Denver. Sunlight filtered through slatted mini-blinds as the sun struggled to rise above clouds hugging the horizon. The smell of fresh coffee filled the living room.  Taylor sat on the couch,

What in Your Holiday Recovery Plan?

I left Mikelle home as I took my sandaled feet this November evening to the  weather worn outdoor couches at the local Starbucks, also known as “The Beach” for its expansive patio, fire pit, and overhead warming lamps. Not a snowflake to be found. Although, Starbucks is doing its best

Finances, Family and Special Needs Planning

Think beyond the will. I have known Betty Lehman for many years. Each time I see her, she provokes me–in a right way. I take pride in how I have helped Mikelle become financially secure as I have dug through the avalanche of paperwork and programs finding the best nuggets

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Mikelle and I often write about employment strategies for people with disabilities.  In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the many changes coming forward with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act, we feel you need to hear directly from the  Regional Services Administration Commissioner Janet LaBreck on what

Just What is an ABLE Account?

So much is hapening in the field of special education and rehabilitiation. We have the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act, which we will talk more about soon.  The other significant new breathrough passed by the Congress in …… are ABLE  Accounts, which in some ways resemble a college 529 Savings

Speechless over Speechless

Watching a version of your life on a 50” TV is a little intimidating. So I avoided it for as long as I could. Sure, I was curious, but as I read articles in the Denver Post, or researched the series on IMDB, I found myself holding my breath and

Are you a “Prepper”?

I had the phone pinned against my ear talking to a friend while making Mikelle’s bed, sweeping the floor and reining in the morning chaos.  Mikelle’s VCR/TV played in the background. The Today Show typically brought light morning news and entertainment more like background noise on this sunny morning. That

Love The Locks You Rock!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun   Mikelle, like any other woman, often feels the need for change. For her this could be a new purse, a pair of new sneakers, or the urge to dye her hair. When that urge begins to rear its head she is insistent. She will

Are Parents the Best Job Developers for Special Needs Children?

I don’t know, but I think so.  After all, who knows our kids better than we do? We know our communities and our communities know us, right?  We hope so. Here are few reasons why we might be our child’s best job developer.  We, as parents, are great at negotiation.

Welcome to 21st Century Inclusion…This is important!

 Embracing Technology for Children with Special Needs Among our many worries, aspirations, and concerns as parents, one stands out: the desire for our children with special needs to be included as typical citizens in our community. We look forward to seeing our kids working in jobs that suit them perfectly.