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.
Everyone Needs a Break–The Importance of Respite
Reluctant eagerness. Yes, those two words capture my dilemma each time I take a break from being a “special needs mom” and caregiver—if there is
A Fork in the Road
By Ashley Ryder, Our new roommate. Some people say that ‘variety is the spice of life’…and I tend to agree. Like most people, I’ve got
January is Happiness Month.
This month we are sharing our ideas on what makes us happy. Listen to Kasey, Mikelle’s brother, thoughts on happiness.
How Happy is Your New Year?
Happy New Year. Either I am getting older, or the world is getting more complicated—or both. This year at The Shining Beautiful Series, we
Our Shining Beautiful Community Glimmers this Holiday Season
While we love our words on Shining Beautiful, it is difficult to string them together in such a way as to capture the camera sees
Welcome to the Shining Beautiful Community
Meet new roommate, Ashley Ryder. Ashley moved in with Mikelle and me in November just before the Thanksgiving holiday. Don’t worry, Taylor is still helping
Reflecting on Success. Families at the Forefront of Technology Conference
Start. With a dream. They do come true. Not always. But, this time one did. Fourteen years ago, I wrote my first article on connecting
A Fork in the Road to Shining Beautiful
Some people say that ‘variety is the spice of life’…and I tend to agree with them. Like most folks, I’ve have “chapters” in my
Fall 2014 at Shining Beautiful
Fall of 2014 A Brief Update Fall is a wonderful, magical time of year. The cool and crisp mornings that bring the coloring of
Free Room and Board/Mother’s Helper
Free Rent/Board In Exchange for Part-time Support Would you like to make a difference and live in Capital Hill one of Denver’s best neighborhoods? We
Families at the Forefront of Technology
For years, now, I have been focused on how the availability of appropriate technology and its use by people with disabilities can impact the lives
Part One, Conversation with Viki King
It was a late spring day, the snow was wet and heavy. A perfect day to stay home. The phone rang, I answered. Hey, I