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.
Once Upon Tomorrow
Once upon tomorrow, will there be rainbows? What colors will we see? Where will the yellow brick road lead? And, what will life be like
The Fruits of Frustration
These days the fruit on the vine bears a copious crop
Could this be the End of Dental Drama?
After two years and 3 decades, Mikelle and I might be at the end of our dental drama. One by one, tooth by tooth, Mikelle’s
Label Jars Not People…a Caregiver’s Perspective.
Gratitude exists in many forms here at the Shining Beautiful community. Health, safety, good friends and community, and wonderful women who cross our path for
The Gathering of Women During COVID
Five beautiful women gathered at the old mansion in the middle of town. The sky was not gray with clouds, or blue in color, but
Rethinking, Reimagining, and Resolved to be Resilient.
We at the Shining Beautiful Series are rethinking our entire way of providing support for Mikelle to define a new and vibrant rhythm to life
Drive-Thru Inclusion in the Time of COVID.
Our community is in transition. Inclusion looks different than it did just months ago. It is mid-July, and it has been hot and dry here
Birthdays, Community and COVID
Typically, each year we celebrate Mikelle’s birthday at Cheeseman Park. We have been doing this for so long I actually can’t think of the last
Change and ResponsAbilty
Change – the pace of change is real! None of us could have planned for COVID, protests, economic challenges, job loss, and alteration in services
The Purse Diva Acquires New Shopping Strategies During Lockdown
Mikelle’s inner fashionista is frustrated! One of Mikelle’s loves in life is Mikelle’s is purse shopping. Typically, just after coffee and before Gilmore Girls, Mikelle
Wait! What Happened to Our Community?
Creating Community in the Time of Social Distancing. Mikelle looks longing out our second-story window reminiscing about the days when her routine included a
Soul Mates. A Story of Love and Friendship
Fifteen years ago, a thoughtful high school teacher introduced Mikelle Learned and Jerome Stewart, she had a hunch these two might become the best of