Doubt Nagging doubt and uncertainty have replaced my fear. Yet, I know I am not alone as I share a cup of coffee with the unknown. Four other women, all with adults who experience disabilities and have been living an inclusive life in their own homes, feel my trepidation about growing older. What will it […]
Part Two: What is Next? Read More »
Hello Beautiful! Spring is sprouting here in the Rocky Mountain area. Daffodils and forsythia burst with bright yellows, fragrant pink and purple hyacinths delight us as we walk the neighborhood. After that wild March Madness, we hope that we can share our Springtime Strategies for coping and self-care in a world of constant change. We
Spring Time Strategies for Self-Care. Read More »
Gratitude exists in many forms here at the Shining Beautiful community. Health, safety, good friends and community, and wonderful women who cross our path for just a brief period at a fundamental moment in their lives. Mikelle and I know that no one woman will stay with us forever. The longest lasted ten years, the
Label Jars Not People…a Caregiver’s Perspective. Read More »
Five beautiful women gathered at the old mansion in the middle of town. The sky was not gray with clouds, or blue in color, but shimmered in shades ombre tinted from the forest fire up north. The air hinted of a fall on a late summer’s morning. A light breeze blew the old trees bordering
The Gathering of Women During COVID Read More »
Typically, each year we celebrate Mikelle’s birthday at Cheeseman Park. We have been doing this for so long I actually can’t think of the last time we didn’t celebrate there. We celebrated her 29th birthday when the temperature roared by 105 degrees. We celebrated in down coats and gloves with rain drizzles in 59 degrees
Birthdays, Community and COVID Read More »
Change – the pace of change is real! None of us could have planned for COVID, protests, economic challenges, job loss, and alteration in services for our families. I know Mikelle, and I never thought we would be social distancing. Our focus has always been being active in our community. Mikelle and I have developed
Change and ResponsAbilty Read More »
From the time our children are born, we worry about where they will live when they become adults. What will their lives be like? We have a few answers. Doing nothing only kicks the can down the road. It is time to start exploring your options. Let’s discover a vision and assist your son or
Mom to Mom. The Importance of Having a Vision. Read More »
Karin Carr, left, and Allison Learned star in “The Taming of the Shrew” at The Bug Theatre. (Christine Fisk, provided by Lost and Found Productions) Mikelle and Shakespeare—I never thought these two words would be uttered in a single sentence. To my surprise, I found there was a connection. How better to discover an alternative
Mikelle and Shakespeare Read More »
While we love our words on Shining Beautiful, it is difficult to string them together in such a way as to capture the camera sees and what are hearts feel during the holiday season. Each year, we have two major events, a holiday party and Mikelle’s birthday party. These celebrations not only connect Mikelle to
Our Shining Beautiful Community Glimmers this Holiday Season Read More »
For quite some time, I have been wondering like many of you just how we can jump start supported employment for people with disabilities. Some states have more job placements than others but search for jobs with more hours and financial reward for the supported employee. Other states find their efforts languishing on a
Planting the Seeds of Success in Supported Employment Read More »
