All photos by Judy Winter 2014

Eric 'RicStar Winter Music Therapy Camp 
(aka RicStar's Camp)Version of 

Pharrell Williams' HAPPY Song

Here's our version of Pharrell Williams' popular and catchy HAPPY song, featuring the campers, staff and volunteers of the 12th annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp, named in honor of my son, Eric. 

He had a remarkable gift for music and passed away too soon at age 12 in 2003. RicStar's Camp honors Eric's legacy and love for music.

Please share this video with all you know and help us create greater awareness of the beautiful, diverse faces of exceptionalities and the power of music and RicStar's Camp (a community jewel) to change lives.

We focus on celebrating abilities by letting campers show us what they CAN do. 

Campers never disappoint.

No one is turned away because of disability or financial need.

Thanks to Jon Whiting and Steve Boughton of MSU for their outstanding professional work showcasing what we do each summer.

Making life better for this population through our remarkable camp makes me soooo HAPPY!!

So does this video. I know Eric is smiling.

Yeah. It's that good. :)

See for yourself here.

Reminder: Find me on Facebook!

My professional Facebook page 'Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs' (same name as my book), now includes much more frequent updates than this blog currently does. 

Feel free to visit me there, too.

Judy Winter Image 2014

Did You Know?

The multi-talented journalist, Lisa Ling, has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Check out the story here.

Certified Therapy Dog and School Dog, Jack, taking a well-deserved bow. Pure canine magic.

My TEDx TALK

In case you missed my TEDx talk, "Schooled by a Dog," here's the YouTube link.

My battle cry: Certified Therapy Dogs in Every Classroom in the Nation!!!


Here's one of my many special needs interviews, this one close to home.  

Judy Winter Image 

Minute Vacation

Escape for a little while.

Breathe out.

One mom voices her admiration for Special Olympics

Make that one mom with TWO kids with Down syndrome that found in SO a place to just be a "typical" family.

Isn't that what we all want?

Read it here.

Keeping up with Eric LeGrand

Read the update here.

AAPD

Good Weekly Resource on Facebook

Redefine Disability.

More here.

Wheels

Extreme 22-year-old athlete with spina bifida, Aaron Fotheringham, takes on skate-board parks and wins impressively.

Don't tell him what he can't do, and don't say he's "confined" to a wheelchair, either.

Check it out here.

Focused on ability.

Hear Yee!! 2014 Call for Entries

The Kennedy Center VSA annual juried competition.

Find out more here.

Judy Winter Image 2014

Weekly Words of Wisdom: Maya Angelou.

"All great achievements require time."

Be patient.