Special Needs Parenting

Mikelle is in her wheelchair smiling with three of her favorite girlfriends surrounding her with love.

A Tale of Two Celebrations: Mikelle’s Memorable Birthday Bash

A Home of My Own, Daily Life, Family, Friends, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting /

Celebrating Mikelle’s Birthday in the Shadows of Her Grandma’s Home This summer, Mikelle celebrated her birthday at the home of her brother Kasey and his wife Allison, once her beloved Grandma’s house for sixty-two years. Although it marked the second birthday without her Grandma, gathering friends in the revitalized backyard breathed new life into the celebration. […]

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brown and white photo with people gathered around the kitchen table talking. Featured hands and coffee cups.

Conversations Over Coffee: Navigating a Chaotic World

21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions, A Home of My Own, Community, Daily Life, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting, Uncategorized /

The kitchen table in Mikelle’s cozy condo hosts countless conversations. It’s where the Shining Beautiful team gathers, supporting each other through the chaos and adventures of everyday life. Each day, the table—and sometimes the coffee table—is laden with coffee mugs, a fresh breakfast or a plate of freshly baked chocolate croissants, and the weight of

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Poster of the movie EZRA portraying a father, grandfather and young boy.

Autism and Family Resilience: Lessons from Ezra.

Special Needs Parenting, The Pursuit of the American Dream /

.Free Tickets The tickets were free. The invitation to the movie screening arrived in my crowded inbox at just the right moment. I was searching for new opportunities for Mikelle to expand her world. ESRA The invitation was from the University of Colorado, JFK Partners program, part of the University Centers for Excellence, a national

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Embracing the Beauty of Home Ownership Through Section 8

21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions, A Home of My Own, Community, Daily Life, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting /

It Starts By Listening to the Dream Mikelle Learned’s story is a testament to the transformative power of home ownership, particularly for individuals navigating life with disabilities. Despite facing challenges, Mikelle’s journey illuminates the possibilities that Section 8 assistance offers in achieving this dream. In 2004, Mikelle let her community and her family know she

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Pink graphic with old fashion gold colored alarm clock in the center. Text says Nurturing a loving relationship with time.

Nuturing a Loving Relationship with Time

Daily Life, Family, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting, The Pursuit of the American Dream /

Most of us experience a conflicting relationship with time. Time continues to be both the adversary and the giver of great gifts. As the world speeds up, our relationship with time becomes more conflicted–especially as we grow older, especially if we are caregivers and people who have lived experience with disability.  Many of us operated

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a small peninsula with old Mediterranean buildings overlooking an azure colored sea

The No New Year’s Resolution Revolution: Embracing Personal Growth Without Pressure

21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions, A Home of My Own, Daily Life, Family, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting, Uncategorized /

When the New Year bell rang, I decided it was time for the Christmas tree to come down. For Mikelle, it was a bittersweet moment. Her month-long party had come to an end. She wore her disappointment stoically as she watched me take down the garland, the twinkling lights she loved, and finally, the treasured

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Will the Pioneer Generation become the Generation in Crisis?

Daily Life, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting, Uncategorized /

Is the aging caregiver crisis just around the corner? Her passing set in motion a cascade of decisions that triggered deep thought about my passing and preparation for when, as one of my fellow special needs parents says, “We fall off our perch.” The Problem. In the U.S. today, there are nearly one million households

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Our Everything, Everywhere All At Once!

21st Century Rehabiliation Solutions, A Home of My Own, Daily Life, Self-Determination, Special Needs Parenting /

Routine Life Most families have a routine. We have a daily set of rituals and activities that help us wake up, move around the house and help us run around our communities, and chat with each other over coffee. Yet, we all know that when the dishwasher does work, or the car won’t start, it

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