By Mikelle Learned This year, like many before, I spent the night before Independence Day at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver. The Colorado Symphony performed and blew me away! I looked around around and saw community in action shining beautifully under the summer sky. I had a ton of fun just relaxing and […]
The Denver Community Celebrates the 4th of July! Read More »
Dropping in after day 2 of our Community Summit at Ellenburg, where we are speaking on engaging the community and connecting those with developmental disabilities. We are so lucky to have a fantastic community that allows us to lead by example, showing ourselves and others every day how to empower those with disabilities to lead
Hundreds of Community Summit Enthusiasts! Read More »
A Case for Inclusion Mikelle Learned and Jerome Stewart were introduced to each other by a thoughtful teacher that had a hunch these two might be friends. Jerome played football, ran track and was a well-liked senior at East High School. He, like Mikelle, was a recent transfer student from another high school. When they
Inclusion Works. Mikelle and Jerome’s Lasting Friendship Read More »
I remember a time in rehabilitation history when we were eager to take the personality out of people with disabilities, wash them clean of anything we didn’t think people in the community would accept. Back in the day, professional educators and rehabilitation personnel were uncomfortable when adults with disabilities would pass out hugs like candy for the
Tim’s Place- Another Example of the Brilliance of Community in Action. Read More »
By Ian Harwick Being friends with Mikelle and preparing for a surprise is always good. As strange as that sounds, if you are prepared for the unexpected, you can move quickly. As my friendship with her has morphed over time, I have grasped three key insights: understand what you are working with, be flexible at
Do Your Shoes Match Your Friendship? Read More »
Watch out! Here comes Mikelle! No matter the setting, this woman knows how to make an entrance. I remember the first time I met her, it was back in 2005 at Rocky Mountain Village and I was brand new. She came speeding into the room and was immediately the life of the party…everyone knew
The Gift of Great Friendship with Denver’s cbs4’s, Dominic Garcia Read More »
Sometimes the simplest of things can cause the biggest problems. Imagine yourself four wheeling it, casually cruising along the sidewalks of Denver. Okay, maybe if you count the tiny back wheels, it would be six wheeling it and your steering mechanism fails you. You crash. Look down and there is your front wheel laying on
Josh Winkler–The Man to Go To for a Quick Fix Read More »
Posted by Adriana Carlson After my brother Colton, lost his legs in Afghanistan, I desperately wanted to help any way I could. My mom flew out to Maryland to be his caregiver as he healed, and my little sister went with her. My two remaining siblings, my dad, and I went to visit whenever we
Part 2, The Sweetest Thing. Using Indiegogo to help a Veteran. Read More »
Well, the Part 2 didn’t go as planned. The Denver Broncos changed the time of training camp from afternoon to morning practice due to the threat of thunderous storms tumbling over the Rocky Mountains. Bummer. Disappointed by not deterred. Mikelle, Ian, Jerome and I were set to go. Her boys were ready to watch Peyton
Broncos and Boys, Celebrating Friendship Part 2 Read More »
In a bone-dry park in the middle of Denver, Colorado—friends gathered for a celebration. Cool people came on this hot, record breaking summer day. The temperature raced to the top of the thermometer, breaking open a 105 degree record. As the smell of parched grass filled the air the wind sucked out the remains of
Community in Action and Celebration Read More »
