At 4 p.m., the darkness thinks it's winning. But I just turned on more pretty lights and cranked up the carols. Advantage, me.
I'm all about the glass half full. That's how I've survived.
How about you?
Photo Judy Winter 2011Judy Winter
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Random Thoughts-Shorter Days
At 4 p.m., the darkness thinks it's winning. But I just turned on more pretty lights and cranked up the carols. Advantage, me.
Judy Winter
Lives Worth Living- Day 19-Kierin Kerbawy
One of our fav RicStar Campers and Buddy Up volunteers, the very talented and charming Kierin Kerbawy. The 2011 grad of East Lansing High School, who has been active in Michigan theatre, was featured in a 2011 Michigan campaign/billboard with the Lion's Drew Stanton that helps creates greater awareness of those with Down syndrome.
We are so proud of you, Kierin.
Life well worth living.
Photo of Kierin with Chuck Colby of the terrific musical group Three Men and a Tenor by Judy Winter 2011. Three Men and a Tenor was a recipient of a 2011 RicStar Award.
Holiday Photos -Oldy but Goody
Sharing an oldy, but goody. Eric in his Christmas sweater at a school party with his terrific big sister. 'Tis the season for remembering that my son loved Christmas.
The holidays aren't the same without you, buddy.
Did You Know? -Colin Farrell's Son Has Angelman Syndrome
Did You Know?
Actor Colin Farrell's seven-year-old son, James, has Angelman syndrome, a rare neuro-developmental disorder that severely impacts global developmental delays and speech.
On behalf of his son, Farrell has become an effective and outspoken activist for the disability. Check out the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST) with its resource video, and hear about Angelman in Colin Farrell's own words here. You can also find out more about Speak Out efforts to raise greater awareness about a disorder that impacts 1 in 15,000 lives births.
Kudos to Colin Farrell for sharing his own story to help his son and the cause. Another responsible use of celebrity. I love posting this kind of information to remind you than when it comes to the challenges of special needs parenting and demands of parental advocacy, you are never alone.
Disability can happen to anyone at anytime, even celebs.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Remembering Eric's Death and Honoring His Life.
My candle is burning and I am remembering and honoring my beloved son, Eric.
You will never be forgotten.
Thank you Compassionate Friends, for creating this wonderfully simple and healing tradition.
It's Here- 2011 Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting Tonight at 7 p.m.
The Compassionate Friends Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting honors and remembers children who have died. This year's event will be held tonight at 7 p.m. local time. Please share this post with those you believe could benefit from the healing act of remembering a child who has died.
For more information on this organization that supports bereaved parents, and about this beautiful holiday tradition born in 1997, click here.
As always, my candle remembering my son, Eric, will be burning brightly, too.
Photo Judy Winter 2011
Friday, December 09, 2011
Random Thoughts-The X Factor and Rachel Crow's Elimination
Please bear with me. Sometimes I just need to add my voice to things other than special needs. I admit I found it painful and a bit disturbing to watch the very public and very emotional meltdown of the popular, talented and young, Rachel Crow, after she was eliminated from The X Factor last night. When judge, Nicole Scherzinger, refused to make a choice on who to send home, the decision was left to the contestant receiving the lowest number of seasonal votes from viewers (Rachel), which when announced, sent the young girl to the floor sobbing. As people rushed the stage to her aid, including her mother. Scherzinger was loudly booed by the crowd. The reality is that the singer is on the show to be a judge with all the responsibility that entails (including voting people off) and she should have cast her vote. In trying to avoid being the heavy, she has become just that, right or wrong, and sent Crow into a tailspin. Unbelievable pressure for one so young.
Reminder, Paula Abdul, who quickly went to the aid of Schertzer and Crow, did a similar thing earlier in the season. Drama is always good for ratings.
The young charmer and American sweetheart, Crow, has since taken to the media to ask the public to stop blaming Schertziner for her elimination. Read the People magazine article here. Class in a small package.
I'm sure Simon Cowell will ensure that we haven't heard the last of Rachel Crow. The question is, will he allow Nicole Scherzinger back for another season? I hope so. I like her. But she should vote. Stay tuned.
That's my Reality TV rant for now. Now back to more important matters.
Photo Chicago Grand Lux Cafe Judy Winter 2011
Lives Worth Living- Day 18-Richard Prangley
A story worth revisiting.
Of all the inspiring special needs stories that I have heard or told during the past twenty years, and there have been many, few have touched me as much as the life story of Richard Prangley.
Prangley was wrongly institutionalized as a child and labeled a 'low-level imbecile' and 'unable to learn' by professionals. What Richard experienced after being committed by his family at age six to the former Coldwater State Home in Michigan is both horrific and inexcusable. But what this man has done since being freed from that setting at age 21, including becoming a passionate lobbyist for the developmentally disabled at high levels, is nothing short of remarkable, and a real tribute to the power of the human spirit to triumph over the toughest life circumstances.
Richard's story was first skillfully and honestly captured in 1998 by popular Lansing State Journal (LSJ) columnist, John Schneider, in the book 'Waiting for Home: the Richard Prangley Story.' The two men have remained close friends since the day they first met in the LSJ newsroom more than thirty years ago.
You can view the two-part feature of Richard's remarkable live story on YouTube, here. Thanks to Elizabeth Kelly of the PBS program, 'A Wider World,' for doing an outstanding job translating a fascinating and complex life story for television.
I'm blessed and honored to call Richard Prangley, John Schneider and Elizabeth Kelly my friends. I'm thrilled to have been part of the effort to bring this inspiring story to the PBS program 'A Wider World,' and happy to share it with you on this blog.
Richard Prangley is one of the finest human beings I've ever met, and he has much to teach us all about the power of forgiveness and true faith. I suggest you share his story with everyone you know, and refer to it when you need a boost in your own daily life, especially when challenged by the daily realities of special needs.
I do.
Photo: Richard Prangley, Judy Winter and Elizabeth Kelly at RicStar's Camp 2010, where Richard received the 'RicStar' Award for Outstanding Special Needs Advocacy.
Worth Repeating: Creating Holiday Magic for Kids with Special Needs
Worth Repeating: 2011 Toys R Us Differently Abled Toy Guide w/Eva Longoria Cover
Make better good choices for those with special needs. This annual guide helps you do just that.
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Media Alert! -Recent Interview-Judy Winter
Every so often, I do an interview in my own backyard, as I did recently. Here's the video if you'd like to watch me in action, and here's the link to RicStar's Camp, too. LCC did a great job, and I didn't even have to pack or face a body scanner.
Photo courtesy of LCC Connections
I'm passionate about what I do, and I love sharing that passion.
Photo courtesy of LCC Connections
Special Olympics Athletes in Their Own Words
Special Olympic athletes tell what the organization has meant to them.
Watch In Their Own Words here.
Judy Winter
How did we spread the word without video and social networking?
Inspire Greatness.
Photo courtesy of Special Olympics. Used with permission.
Judy Winter
Holiday Wishes from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Now, this is the kind of holiday card that steals my heart. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is a marvelous organization. Today, CRF honors its founder's legacies so beautifully, while changing lives in dramatic ways.Watch the greetings here.
Please consider them in your end-of-year giving, too. I do.
Photo courtesy of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
An Apology From Your Child's Teacher
I just love this post shared on a friend's Facebook page this morning and had to pass it on. Interestingly enough, I've gotten more than one e-mail from teachers and counselors who are now parents of kids with special needs who confirm that they, too, had little clue as to how tough this parenting gig really was.
Fortunately, Eric had more good teachers/team members than not. But it was never easy. My heart and thanks also go out to all those outstanding professionals who do care deeply about our children, but lack the resources, proper training and funding to meet such challenging special needs educational goals. We have a long way to go before no child is truly left behind.We can and must do better for all concerned. Putting kids in classrooms without the proper preparation, resources, staff and training is not inclusion. It's a recipe for educational failure.
Unfortunately, too often parents must then remain ever vigilant working to ensure that their children's educational/legal needs and rights are being met. This creates additional and unfair stress on the family units that are often already struggling under the weight of their parenting responsibilities, including financial. Could you do it? There has to a better way for all involved, especially the children.
One of the greatest gifts of this mother's post is the rapid-fire discussion it has generated from all sides. People are talking, and that is always a good thing.
Read An Apology From Your Child's Teacher here. I have to go discover more about the mom/blogger who wrote this terrific piece.
Photo of my son's final year at school Judy Winter 2011
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Reminder: I am NORM
Given the last post, seems like the perfect time to repost this.
If you haven't already done so, consider checking out the NORM campaign I've blogged about in the past. Worth the time.
2011 National Inclusive Schools Week Dec. 5 thu 9
Did You Know?
Dec. 5th thru Dec. 9th is the 11th Annual Inclusive Schools Week. You can download an activities/resource guide for schools, classrooms and families here.
'Great things happen in inclusive schools,' and elsewhere in our communities.
Check it out!
Photo Judy Winter 2011
Media Alert! -Trailer for Zach Anner's New show on Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN)
Those of you who helped Zach Anner get his own show on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) will be happy to hear that the premiere of Rollin with Zach airs next Monday, December 12th, at 8 p.m. ET. It includes Zach surfing.
I can't wait to watch Zach in action again. (Here's my original post. announcing he'd won the competition). Zach has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair to get around.
Watch the trailer for Zach's new show featuring travels in Los Angeles here.
Check out his presence on the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation website, too.
One funny dude, focused on ability.
Media Alert- Publication of Easy to Love but Hard to Raise
I'm pleased to be included as one of the 'Q/A Expert Voices' in the new book Easy to Love, but Hard to Raise by Kay Marner and Adrienne Ehlert Bashista.
Judy Winter
The book is an anthology of parental essays about what it's like to raise children with a wide range of challenging behavioral diagnoses, including ADD, ADHD, OCD and many others. The book will be widely available on Feb. 12th, but it's currently available for direct purchase on the publisher's website (DRT Press) for 30 percent off the cover price until Jan. 20th.
If you're interested in getting an advanced copy, click here.
In addition to Easy to Love, and my own book, Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs, my words also appear in the books A Special Kind of Love: For Those Who Love Children with Special Needs, and Enabled in Words: The Real Lives, Real Victories of People with Disabilties.
Image courtesy of DRT Press. Used with permission.
Judy Winter
Monday, December 05, 2011
Did You Know? -Bullying and Special Needs
Did You Know?
85 percent of kids with disabilities have been bullied?
We need to remember them, too, in our discussions on this timely topic. Raise your voices.
Source: The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).
Photo RicStar's Camp Judy Winter 2011
Update-AAPD PSA on Kids with Special Needs & Bullying
UPDATE 12-5-11: As promised, here's an updated link to that terrific video about kids with special needs/ bullying that I hyped a few posts ago.
Thanks, Laura Schwartz of AAPD for posting the new link under comments on my original post. Love this campaign. So happy to reshare. Thanks for making it, AAPD.
_______________________________
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this PSA about bullying and kids with special needs from the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), a terrific resource which, according to its website, promotes equal opportunity, economic recovery, independent living and political participation for people with disabilities.
Photo of Remarkable Grace/RicStar's Camp Judy Winter 2011
Too often we discuss bullying without mentioning how many kids with disabilities face this inexcusable behavior on a daily basis.
Speak up, loudly, and then pass this on.
Fun Holiday Photos- Window Shopping Chicago
J Crew Michigan Avenue-Chicago
Love that town.
Love that town.
Photo Judy Winter 2011
Shameless Promotion -New Judy Winter Interview on YouTube
Warning: shameless plug. All for the cause. You can check out an interview I did in my own backyard two weeks ago that's now on YouTube regarding my book and RicStar's Camp. More valuable awareness for special needs.
Find it here.
You can also view a good promotional spot by MSU regarding the 2011 RicStar's Camp that captures the joy of the camp well. Plus, the end-of-camp Showcase is also there for viewing in three parts. Watch all the music magic here.
Lives Worth Living- Day 17-Kurtis
Two of the coolest Canadians I know. Smart, funny, talented and very charming.
Kurtis and his terrific mom, Glenda.
Photo RicStar's Camp Judy Winter 2011
Reminder! -The Compassionate Friends 2011 Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting is Sunday
The Compassionate Friends Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting honors and remembers children who have died. This year's event will be held on Sunday, December 11th at 7 p.m. local time. Please share this post with those you believe could benefit from the healing act of remembering a child who has died. I love selecting a special candle for my son for this special evening of reflection.
For more information on this organization that supports bereaved parents, and about this beautiful holiday tradition born in 1997, click here.
As always, my candle remembering my son, Eric, will be burning brightly, too.
Photo Judy Winter 2011
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Love My Spartans!
Ouch! That one made the GREEN heart bleed. But it's still been an amazing ride and it's not over yet. Thanks, Coach Dantonio and team, for a terrific season. Still bowl bound, somewhere. This team was Rose-Bowl worthy. Big progress.
Go Spartans!
Photo of one GREEN hero, Keith Nichol, by Judy Winter 2011
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Lives Worth Living- Day 16-Craig
Craig tells the best jokes of anyone I know and he's always the first to step in to help. others. He makes RicStar's Camp more fun.
Friday, December 02, 2011
Saturday, Dec. 3rd, Honors the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Find out more, here.
Photo Judy Winter 2011
I look forward to the day when we recognize and celebrate the lives and contributions of those with special needs every day.
We're making progress.
Photo Judy Winter 2011
Thursday, December 01, 2011
The X Factor 2011 Auditions & Emmanuel Kelly & Special Needs
For all you parents who work so hard each and every day to create brighter futures for your children with special needs, this post is for you. For those of you who have chosen to take a child out of an orphanage and put them into a real home filled with love, there's a blessing in this for you, too.
Thanks, Gail Williamson, for sharing this.
Seventeen-year-old Australian, Emmanuel Kelly, is focused on ability; and he can sing, too.
Imagine.
Watch it here.
Lives Worth Living- Day 15-Blair Williamson
I've been writing and speaking on special needs parenting issues since my son's birth in 1990. I began at a time when few people, organizations or media were publicly addressing the challenges and rewards of raising children with disabilities, and they certainly weren't focused on individual abilities and potential or human value.
It was still an era of shame and ignorance, and I was a starry eyed advocate hell bent on change.
All photos courtesy of Gail Williamson. Used with permission.
As a writer and mom, I knew I wanted to be an agent of positive change for my son and other families facing the tremendous daily challenges of special needs parenting.
One of the first advocates I made contact with was Gail Williamson of the Down syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA). We quickly become friends. Her son, Blair, is a talented, working actor in L.A. who has Down syndrome. Those of you familiar with my blog know I have written about Gail and Blair in past posts. They are also included as one of the parenting success stories in my book, Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations, for which Gail also wrote the introduction.
They're two of my favorite people, high praise considering I've met some amazing folks during my twenty year plus special needs ride.
Because of our friendship and their place in my own author/advocacy beginnings, I've decided to feature Blair as my Lives Worth Living Day 15 with several photos depicting the richness of his life, instead of just one. It's been a full life given birth by his amazing mom. Pun intended.
The photos show Blair most recently on a jet to Washington for an event with GLEE's Lauren Potter, his recent love of photography, with his girlfriend, Susie, dancing at his cousin's wedding, at which he also gave her away, and with his remarkable mom, Gail, whose belief in her son early on changed the course of his life dramatically, and her own.
I hope you enjoy each image and learn from Gail and Blair's example.
I know I have.
Therapy Dog Jack-New Gig Update
Jack and I spent the morning with our fav new friends at our local elementary school, where we got read lots of great stories. Jack made the kids smile, and they us.
And yes, Jack does smile.
YouTube PSA Alert! -Special Needs/Bullying & the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
UPDATE 12-3-11: The video I hyped below has since been made private. Have no idea why and unable to find a public viewing of it. So sorry. If that changes again soon, I will repost. Well worth being viewed by all.
_______________________________
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this PSA about bullying and kids with special needs from the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), a terrific resource which, according to its website, promotes equal opportunity, economic recovery, independent living and political participation for people with disabilities.
Photo of Remarkable Grace/RicStar's Camp Judy Winter 2011
Too often we discuss bullying without mentioning how many kids with disabilities face this inexcusable behavior on a daily basis.
Speak up, loudly, and then pass this on.
Photo of Remarkable Grace/RicStar's Camp Judy Winter 2011
WWJD? Not This.
Doesn't sound like something Jesus would do.
Read Interracial Couple Banned from Kentucky Church here.
The gospel according to self interest.
Photo Judy Winter 2011
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