Rachel’s Independence May Depend on Leaders Learning to Play in a Sandbox

Happy Independence Day!  I love the Fourth of July and not because I love fireworks. I love it because I have always loved American History and I have a deep-seated belief that we live in the greatest country in the […]

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Baby Rachel Celebrates her 18th Birthday Today, Really?

Rachel – Was it really 18 years ago today that I awoke at 4:30 am feeling uncomfortable? Yes,  at 8:40 PM 18 years ago this day,  a little bundle of pink joy was welcomed into the world by loving parents, […]

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AHCA Jeopardizes Rachel’s Pink House

All of us know someone who works this system to receive government supports. Yes, we all know people on “welfare” who abuse the system. The battle cry is often “yes, cut funding because most of the people receiving the services […]

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Shakespeare and that Inclusion Thing

Last weekend, Rachel was Strato in her high school’s production of Julius Caesar. If I counted correctly, she had seven lines.  She was scarcely seen until the end when she appeared in a big way in one of the final […]

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Will Rachel be a Teacher?

Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week, at our school anyhow.  I thought this would be an appropriate time to do a little catch-up on Rachel’s year. It was about a year ago this time that we found out she would be […]

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Ordinary Advocates Matter & Inclusion Works

I’m a little late with my blog but a couple of weeks ago we did our annual NDSS Buddy Walk® on Washington.  Over 350 people, including 95 self-advocates, from across our nation, most at their own personal expense, descended on […]

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How You Can Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day 2017 #wdsd17

Tuesday is World Down Syndrome Day #wdsd17,  but I’m posting this today because Rachel wants you to be ready to celebrate with us tomorrow.   WDSD is recognized every year on March 21 (3-21) because Down syndrome is created when a […]

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#WDSD17 Champion

World Down Syndrome Day  is recognized every year on March 21 or 3-21 because Down syndrome is created when a person has three copies of the 21st chromosome.  People and organizations around the globe will celebrate the lives of individuals […]

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Reading, Inclusion and Big Picture Thinking

During last week’s Parent-Teacher Conference, Rachel’s English teacher mentioned that following their next reading project they would be discussing women’s rights.  Rachel has already read the piece. We pre-read and then watch a video or movie if available. As we […]

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A Forrest Gumpesque Life: The Difference 18 Years Makes

I’ve been sending an email to a certain circle of friends every February 5 for 18 years now.  Thought I’d include all of you this year. Dear Friends of Rachel, Been thinking a lot this week about the difference 18 […]

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