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 to Mom. The Importance of Having a Vision.
From the time our children are born, we worry about where they will live when they become adults. What will their lives be like? We have a few answers. Doing nothing only kicks the can down the road. It is time to start exploring your options. Let’s discover a vision
Writing an Ad that Works.
Writing an ad that attracts the right people to work with your family member who experiences a disability. Choosing a title, using keywords can both differentiate your ad from all the others seeking help, it can also attract the right people who want to work for the right reasons. Here
Finding the Right Tech Fit
Hello! Have you heard? The Shining Beautiful Series has a new podcast featuring technology and everyday life. Every Tuesday we post a new episode with every other week focusing on how we utilize technology in Mikelle’s life. Details. Details. They matter and we dig deep on the myriad of challenges
It is the little things…Love and the Hardware Store.
Today was one of those mornings. An early and challenging workout at the Crossfit gym, followed by my appealing but frustrating writing class and then, back to Mikelle’s to help her with her blog and another few hours of a steep learning curve as we prepare to launch her podcast.
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