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 »
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 »
A few weeks ago, I stood in the halls of the Colorado State Capitol, surrounded by families, advocates, and individuals with disabilities. It wasn’t just another day—it was a day to advocate for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) and ensure the voices of those who rely on these essential services were heard loud and clear. Mikelle, as always,
Showing Up Matters: Why We Took Our Advocacy to the State Capitol 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 »
In recognition of *National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), we continue exploring *creativity* in the workplace and how it can revolutionize job development for people with disabilities. The first part of this series focused on frustration and the desire for improved job development outcomes. In this segment, we zero in on a critical element necessary
How Do You Get from Here to There? Celebrating NDEAM with Creativity. Read More »
.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
Autism and Family Resilience: Lessons from Ezra. Read More »
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
Nuturing a Loving Relationship with Time Read More »
A Beautiful Gift Arrives In the fall of 1983, I lived in a nice-sized three-bedroom home in a southwestern suburb of Denver. My father, a general residential contractor, had built many homes in the neighborhood. My then-husband and I purchased this house in 1979 while I was pregnant with my son, Kasey. It was
Shining Beautiful at 40! Read More »
Simple Sometimes it is so simple—a win for a beleaguered and treasured football team and a Halloween party. In these moments, we step back into traditions to reclaim our future by being present in the moment. For Mikelle, her brother, and his family, Sunday’s Bronco football team win in London renewed their hopes for a
Simple, Basic, Fun Ways to Win Back our Happiness. Read More »
Everyone Needs a Little Time Away. Mikelle’s Vacation. Heck, it has been a long haul with Covid. We were getting cabin fever and decided to hightail it out of the city and into the mountains to a real cabin in the high country. Gone is the traffic, the hustle and heat of summer in the
Adventures in Grand Lake, CO Read More »
