Watching a version of your life on a 50” TV is a little intimidating. So I avoided it for as long as I could. Sure, I was curious, but as I read articles in the Denver Post, or researched the series on IMDB, I found myself holding my breath and noticed I was as anxious […]
Speechless over Speechless Read More »
Mom’s Summer Vacation Every summer my mom, Katherine Carol, hops on a plane and travels to the Dominican Republic (DR) for two weeks. It’s her chance to take a nice sunny break from our hectic everyday life. When she’s gone all my girls rally together to make sure I have everything I need. We scramble
Mom’s Summer Vacation Read More »
Do the gifts of community come from systems or families? Intelligent, hardworking human services professionals discuss the need for inclusive communities and person-centered planning. I know, I have sat in numerous conference rooms over the years, I hear the concern in their voices as they acknowledge the elusive nature of creating enduring communities. If they could provide the
Three Gifts Under Our Christmas Tree 2015 Read More »
Is Craigslist God’s Way of Saving the World? Tiredness sets in. I hear my bed’s urgent call, “Get in here!” I fail to heed the call, and instead, grab my Smart Phone and check it one more time before I give up on another long day. The switch from daylight savings time has thrown me
Is Craigslist God’s Way of Saving the World? Read More »
Creativity Maybe the Last Strategy for Using Old School Ways to Embrace New World Rehabilitation Realities….but it might just be the best one. You are a self-reliant person with know-how and ideas. You are surrounded by a great team and community. So good, so far. But, one thing is missing:creative ways to execute your great
“One faces the future with one’s past.” Pearl S. Buck So, how’s the IEP (or any other planning) process treating you? Are you excited for the annual meeting or have you been dreading it for weeks? Do you ever really get what you want from an IEP? Most likely your answer is both yes and
Can Old School Ways Help Us Embrace New World Rehabilitation Realities? Read More »
Many families, people with disabilities and providers seek the simple formula for successful self-determination. We have group action plans (GAP Plans), person centered approaches, individual educational plans (IEP) and various other strategies. The search for success is innate in the human experience. We would rather follow a tried and true formula than invent one
5 Steps to Self-Determination Success Read More »
A Case for Inclusion Mikelle Learned and Jerome Stewart were introduced to each other by a thoughtful teacher that had a hunch these two might be friends. Jerome played football, ran track and was a well-liked senior at East High School. He, like Mikelle, was a recent transfer student from another high school. When they
Inclusion Works. Mikelle and Jerome’s Lasting Friendship Read More »
By Ian Harwick Being friends with Mikelle, it is always good to plan to be ready for surprise. As strange as that sounds, if you are prepared for the unexpected, you can move at a moment’s notice. As my friendship with her has morphed over timed, I have grasp three key insights: understand what you
Do Your Shoes Match Your Friendship? Read More »
Brian Simms, Mikelle Learned and Otter Latch for iPad We love the iPad for augmenting Mikelle’s communication and entertainment needs. But, we had a problem. Mikelle wasn’t using it as effectively as we thought she could. After scratching our head, exploring simple, cheap ideas for stabilizing an iPad on a wheelchair tray and looking at
iPad Accessories–The Otterbox Latch. Read More »
