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 whoever we find interesting. Colorado […]
How is Employment First Down Under? Read More »
Presidents and Parents and Advocates Leading the Way In the early 1960’s President, Kennedy used the power of the Presidency to bring attention to the needs of people experiencing life with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). Back in the 1960’s, individuals with IDD were labeled as “mentally retarded.” Up until that time, people with
Developmental Disability Awareness Month: A little history. Read More »
Will we have to March for Medicaid? It is the dawn of a new year and perhaps, a new era. As Martin Luther King’s birthday approached, I had no idea how this would play out within just days of this National Holiday. Congress is swiftly moving on a new agenda and some say Medicaid
Poetic Protests: In Celebration of Civil Rights Read More »
Check out this year’s presenters! To quote John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” At Shining Beautiful, we learned so much from last year’s conference. Mikelle is using the Pictello app on her iPad to hire
The conversation continues: Families at the Forefront of Technology Conference 2015 Read More »
It is nonsense to say there is not enough time to be fully informed…Time given to thought is the greatest time saver of all. ~ Norman Cousins Some days I think the world’s favorite pastime is demonizing time. Without a thought, we banter about sayings like “I don’t have time for that.” Or “I ran
Are You Demonizing Time or Loving it? Read More »
“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it is spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. ~ Carl Sandburg I love dance, its elegance and the lessons it teaches us about life. It is easy to focus
Making Our Partners Look Good: Activating the Elegance of Supported Living Read More »
On a cool, winter evening in late February, a few dozen young, urban professionals gathered at the newest location of Lime, an upscale Mexican restaurant at the downtown Denver Pavilions’ plaza located on the 16th Street Mall in the center of Denver. They gathered to focus on building a rich, vibrant, inclusive community in the
Building a City Rich with Inclusive Communities Read More »
Once upon a time, communities were closed to people with disabilities. Steps and curbs prohibited people with mobility challenges, like my daughter Mikelle, from accessing transportation, government buildings, entertainment venues and market places. It didn’t stop there. The doors to regular education were closed tight for all, but typical children. Access to housing and employment
Change – it pushed me in directions I did not want to go. The diagnosis of my daughter’s disability, divorce, and my sister’s death took me down the dark and scary alley of life. Indeed, you’ve found yourself in your dark alleys. In the darkness, I developed good skills perfect for unpredictable situations. Searching for
Planning or Preparation? Which Works Better? Read More »
The truth is when I woke up on Wednesday morning, the last thing I imagined I would do was push an elephant up a hill shortly after noon that same day. This story sounds funny when put like that, but in all reality it was a fairly straining experience both physically and emotionally. My friend
The Truth Is…People with Disabilities Face Obstacles Everyday Read More »
