Self-Determination

It is the little things…Love and the Hardware Store.

Today was one of those mornings. An early and challenging workout at the Crossfit gym, followed by my appealing but frustrating writing class and then, back to Mikelle’s to help her with her blog and another few hours of a steep learning curve as we prepare to launch her podcast. The day abruptly started at […]

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How is Employment First Down Under?

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

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Having Morning Meltdowns and Homework Headaches?

A little prevention and preparation will improve your child’s school performance this year. By the time you read this blog post, school will have started in your community. Fresh school supplies are beginning to show some wear, and once clean backpacks are starting to collect small items portending a favorite place to stuff “things” in

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Cool Ideas for Getting TechFit.

The dog days of summer have arrived.  Hot, humid days cling to the ground where fireworks fizzled just a few short weeks ago. The barbeque has cooled, and there just isn’t is ever enough ice tea—sweet or unsweet.  The family dog is either under the air conditioner or panting from the heat under the old

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Can You Speak Mikelle?

Get TechFit and TechStrong. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Areas in life, once strong become weak. It was a gradual weakening, one we didn’t notice until it was obvious. Mikelle’s voice was growing quieter. The digital voice we had become so accustomed to was increasing silent as she began to rely on

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How Do Parents Teach Self-Determination?

As a young mom, I recall Mikelle’s sweet stretched out yawns, her gentle infant coos and the terrible fear of the dreaded baby swing that threw her into a startle so severe she thought she would fall to the ground. I remember the many attempts to help her learn to sit. Valiantly, we attempted to

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Ninja Warrior Parenting…Can we go overboard?

As families with special needs, we develop almost ninja-like warrior skills in fighting for our kids. We are strong, even when we feel weak. We speak out, even when we are shy. We believe in our kids, even when others don’t. We are courageous, even when our hearts ache. Our adeptness strips away our memory

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What will this New Year Bring?

Mikelle, Taylor and I boxed up the last of the holiday decorations and sighed. Another year has passed, a somewhat challenging year at that. What will this year bring? A stutter or a stop? Shall we resolve or maybe we are just simply full of irresolution. What about you? Has your New Year started with

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