21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions

Mikelle’s Employment Journey—One Bracelet, One Podcast, One Dream at a Time

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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)—Mikelle has been working since she was sixteen, and every year we recommit to creating inclusive opportunities for her work to shine.  For us at The Shining Beautiful Series, every month feels like NDEAM because employment is woven into the fabric of Mikelle’s life. For her, the money […]

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Lessons from September’s Emergency Preparedness Month.

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Be Ready September came and went with its quiet reminder: be ready. The world seems to tilt a little more each year—storms stronger, systems shakier, power grids less reliable. So, Mikelle and I decided it was time to do more than talk about preparedness; we became, as she likes to say with a grin, “a

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When the Lights Flicker Out: Government Shutdowns, Disability, and the Unseen Cost on Families.

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It is Oct 1, 2025—another government shutdown. In the quiet hours before dawn, when the world still clings to hope, a mother sits on her porch, coffee growing cold, wondering: How will we manage tomorrow? For families like mine — families of disability, of high stakes, of fragile structures held together by resolve — the

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Stories as Shields: The Art of Advocacy in an Uncertain Time

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We live in a season of unsettled skies. The winds from Washington carry whispers of reconsideration—of HB-1 and the so-called Big Beautiful Bill, with its deep cuts to the fragile scaffolding of support that holds up our families and communities. As the Senate and House argue over numbers on a page, lives tremble in the

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Cartoon images of various people sitting on a bench reading books.

When Stories Open Doors: Families, Resources, and the Lessons of Viki King

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The Unexpected Moment It was a late spring day, and the snow was wet and heavy. The kind of storm that makes you want to curl up by the fire with a cup of coffee, listening to the world go quiet under a white blanket—a perfect day to stay home. Then the phone rang. “Hey,

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Voices Shining Beautiful Mikelle’s Beam+ Mini-Documentary and Its Premiere at The People’s Theater

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A Story of Advocacy In a new short documentary from BEAM+STORIES Season 2, Mikelle steps into the spotlight—not just as a storyteller, but as a lived advocate. As an author, speaker, and business owner, she brings deeply personal insight to disability advocacy, offering a voice that challenges stigma while radiating empowerment. Her film is one

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From the Runway to the Real Fight: June’s Whiplash Reality Check

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The June roller coaster continues. Just days ago, we were basking in celebration. Mikelle modeled with flair and confidence at Denver Fashion Week—wearing a red dress, standing in the spotlight, and receiving applause. Last Sunday, her story was one of nine featured at the Beam + documentary screening, a collection of voices from people with

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Mikelle, a woman in a wheelchair is wearing a silk long coat and is accompanies by Maryann a young woman with brown hair in a red dress designed for the fashion show.

Shining on the Runway: Disability, Fashion, and the Power of Presence

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Denver Fashion Week There’s something magical about being seen—not just looked at, but truly seen. This June, Mikelle lit up the runway at Denver Fashion Week, and the glow didn’t stop at the edge of the stage. It extended into the crowd, into the community, into all of us who had the privilege of witnessing

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Living Life Like Improv: Saying “Yes” to Change in Uncertain Times

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It’s one of the foundational rules of improv comedy. You don’t deny the situation; you accept it and then build on it. It feels like the script has been thrown out in times like these. So what do we do? At Shining Beautiful, we lean into life like improv artists: eyes open, hearts steady, saying

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Summer, Uninterrupted: Finding Joy Amid Uncertainty

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New Normal Let’s face it—uncertainty is the new normal, especially for families navigating disability services and supports. Between policy shifts, staffing shortages, and the ongoing tug-of-war over Medicaid and special education funding, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck waiting for the next shoe to drop. You Deserve Joy But here’s the truth: you deserve

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