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.
January is Happiness Month. Read More »
A Home of My Own
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 decided to keep our celebrations simple, grabbing for clarity rather than verbosity. On January 2nd, sitting in my favorite coffee shop awaiting the arrival of my delicious latte, I flipped
How Happy is Your New Year? Read More »
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 and what are hearts feel during the holiday season. Each year, we have two major events, a holiday party and Mikelle’s birthday party. These celebrations not only connect Mikelle to
Our Shining Beautiful Community Glimmers this Holiday Season Read More »
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 out even though she moved out in October. Ashley’s first blog for The Shining Beautiful Community. Moving truck loaded: check Final hugs and kisses doled out: check Itinerary established:
Welcome to the Shining Beautiful Community Read More »
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 life that define who I am and who I am trying to become. These segments are easy to identify because they’re punctuated with a proverbial ‘fork in the road’ and
A Fork in the Road to Shining Beautiful Read More »
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 leaves, the sudden drop of temperatures, the return of our favorite holiday flavored coffees, all this stirs in us a feeling of excitement. For the Shining Beautiful household fall brings
Fall 2014 at Shining Beautiful Read More »
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 of those individuals. It has become increasing clear over time that gaining access to universal and assistive technology for individuals with disabilities is essential and critical in supporting their lives,
Families at the Forefront of Technology Read More »
From Flab to Fab; the Mikelle Workout
From Flab to Fab, Abs Not Included the Mikelle Workout By Taylor Mason (Roommate, Friend and known for her frequent new hair styles) Every day is a new adventure when you’re hanging out with Mikelle. During the summer months there are plenty of road trips, visits with friends, volleyball games in the park and cool
From Flab to Fab; the Mikelle Workout Read More »
Life with Mikelle…The Battle of the Wheelchairs
By Taylor Mason Every day, multiple times throughout the day, Mikelle Learned makes the choice to switch from her power wheelchair to her manual wheelchair. We here at the Shining Beautiful all have different theories as to why she sometimes feels more comfortable in her manual chair but we all agree that when it
Life with Mikelle…The Battle of the Wheelchairs Read More »
10 Things I Like About You
A Note from Katherine Carol. (the Mom) I sent this poem to members of the Roommate Club like Lauren Perfors, Kari Delany and Adriana Carlson Pogar. It wasn’t long before I heard from them all. Yep. This captures the experience of knowing Mikelle. I could see the smiles cross their beautiful faces as if I
10 Things I Like About You Read More »