It’s one of the foundational rules of improv comedy. You don’t deny the situation; you accept it and then build on it. It feels like the script has been thrown out in times like these. So what do we do? At Shining Beautiful, we lean into life like improv artists: eyes open, hearts steady, saying […]
Living Life Like Improv: Saying “Yes” to Change in Uncertain Times Read More »
New Normal Let’s face it—uncertainty is the new normal, especially for families navigating disability services and supports. Between policy shifts, staffing shortages, and the ongoing tug-of-war over Medicaid and special education funding, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck waiting for the next shoe to drop. You Deserve Joy But here’s the truth: you deserve
Summer, Uninterrupted: Finding Joy Amid Uncertainty Read More »
Change – the pace of change is real! None of us could have planned for COVID, protests, economic challenges, job loss, and alterations in services for our families. I know Mikelle, and I never thought we would be social distancing. Our focus has always been on being active in our community. Mikelle and I
Flexibility, Creativity, and Hope: Our Everyday Power Tools Read More »
Now that Mikelle and I are both older—she is approaching forty-two, and I am well into my next chapter—I often look back on the winding path that brought us here. Time has given me the perspective to reflect on what truly made the difference in helping her shape her future. It wasn’t just the therapies,
From Baby Swings to Business Cards: Raising Resilient, Capable Adults. Read More »
Basketball fans know the thrill and chaos of March Madness every March — an unpredictable tournament where anything can happen. For those of us relying on Medicaid services, that same sense of unpredictability is playing out in real life, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Colorado and the federal government are both considering cuts to
March Medicaid Madness: Bracket-Busting Cuts and the Fight for Survival Read More »
The Lingering Scent of Conflict Conflict smells vague and bitter—like day-old coffee, sulfur before a match ignites, or uncollected trash lingering too long on a sweltering day. It clings to frozen sidewalks on a frosty morning, settling into the cracks of daily life. Left unattended, conflict can shudder a window, shut a door, or close a once-open
Love in the Crossfire: Navigating Valentine’s Day in a Divided World Read More »
The Arrival of Winter’s Chill It is dawn on a cold winter morning, a sharp contrast to the days prior when temperatures soared to nearly sixty degrees. Now, water droplets—frozen mid-flight—fall from the darkened heavens above. Each one is unique and intricate, with a center surrounded by six crystalline arms. Their architecture depends on
Embracing the Storm: Rise, Transform and Carry on. Read More »
Many years ago, my teenage son, Kasey, gave me a Christmas gift that I’ve cherished ever since. It wasn’t expensive or elaborate—a simple black frame containing an image of a worn nub of a yellow #2 pencil. Its point was carved roughly with a pen knife, its pink eraser worn, and its surface visibly chewed.
Protecting the Dream of Inclusion: Persistence, Passion, and the Courage to Begin Again Read More »
As we gear up for the 2024 presidential election, it’s a good time to reflect on how previous battles over healthcare, particularly Medicaid, have shaped the support systems that millions of people rely on today. It feels like déjà vu—just like in 2017, there are concerns that the programs we depend on could be drastically
Medicaid: How the 2024 Presidential Election Could Reshape Disability Services Read More »
Change is inevitable, but… Change is an inevitable part of any journey, and it’s with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to Abby and Elise. Abby has left us to pursue an exciting new position at a local museum, and Elise is moving on to new opportunities. While we will miss them both, we are
New Beginnings: How to Embrace Change and Strengthen Your Caregiving Team Read More »
