A Home of My Own

Siloutees of Mikelle and Katherine look at a golden circular firework in the evening sky.

Independence Day with Mikelle: A Celebration of Freedom and Resilience

A Home of My Own, Community, Daily Life, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting /

Independence Day is a time for celebration, reflection, and coming together as a community. It represents the freedom and independence that we all cherish. I think Mikelle embodies the true spirit of community, resilience, and the American desire and opportunities to achieve your dreams. For many years, our family has celebrated Denver’s 3rd of July […]

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Mikelle is in her wheelchair smiling with three of her favorite girlfriends surrounding her with love.

A Tale of Two Celebrations: Mikelle’s Memorable Birthday Bash

A Home of My Own, Daily Life, Family, Friends, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting /

Celebrating Mikelle’s Birthday in the Shadows of Her Grandma’s Home This summer, Mikelle celebrated her birthday at the home of her brother Kasey and his wife Allison, once her beloved Grandma’s house for sixty-two years. Although it marked the second birthday without her Grandma, gathering friends in the revitalized backyard breathed new life into the celebration.

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brown and white photo with people gathered around the kitchen table talking. Featured hands and coffee cups.

Conversations Over Coffee: Navigating a Chaotic World

21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions, A Home of My Own, Community, Daily Life, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting, Uncategorized /

The kitchen table in Mikelle’s cozy condo hosts countless conversations. It’s where the Shining Beautiful team gathers, supporting each other through the chaos and adventures of everyday life. Each day, the table—and sometimes the coffee table—is laden with coffee mugs, a fresh breakfast or a plate of freshly baked chocolate croissants, and the weight of

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Embracing the Beauty of Home Ownership Through Section 8

21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions, A Home of My Own, Community, Daily Life, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting /

It Starts By Listening to the Dream Mikelle Learned’s story is a testament to the transformative power of home ownership, particularly for individuals navigating life with disabilities. Despite facing challenges, Mikelle’s journey illuminates the possibilities that Section 8 assistance offers in achieving this dream. In 2004, Mikelle let her community and her family know she

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a small peninsula with old Mediterranean buildings overlooking an azure colored sea

The No New Year’s Resolution Revolution: Embracing Personal Growth Without Pressure

21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions, A Home of My Own, Daily Life, Family, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting, Uncategorized /

When the New Year bell rang, I decided it was time for the Christmas tree to come down. For Mikelle, it was a bittersweet moment. Her month-long party had come to an end. She wore her disappointment stoically as she watched me take down the garland, the twinkling lights she loved, and finally, the treasured

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A Must Have Tool for Transition Planning

A Home of My Own, Community, Self-Determination /

It is late spring. The flowers are bursting through moist soil with daffodils and tulips, and the sweet smell of apple blossoms lingers. All across America, in high school classrooms everywhere, transition plans are in progress for teenagers with disabilities who have an IEP (Individual Education Plan). These transition plans are designed to prepare future

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Our Everything, Everywhere All At Once!

21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions, A Home of My Own, Daily Life, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting /

Routine Life Most families have a routine. We have a daily set of rituals and activities that help us wake up, move around the house and help us run around our communities, and chat with each other over coffee. Yet, we all know that when the dishwasher does work, or the car won’t start, it

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