Watch it here.
Kudos to all involved in this ground-breaking program/episode.
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Watch it here.
Kudos to all involved in this ground-breaking program/episode.
Monday, March 04, 2013
Special offer to Winter Ramblings readers.
Your chance to see the play TRIBES in Los Angeles at a reduced ticket cost. If you go, please send me photos of your evening to share with the producers. Read on for all the details.
TRIBES
Written By Nina Raine
Directed by David Cromer
Mark Taper Forum
Feb 27 – April 14, 2013
“Unquestionably, one of the best new plays of the year! - The
Huffington Post
“A smart, lively and beautifully acted new play that asks
us to hear how we hear, in silence as well as in speech.” - The New York
Times
From the press release:
Billy is in love. For the first time in his entire life as
a deaf person, he has found someone who listens to him. Now Sylvia, on the brink of losing
hearing herself, must pass inspection with the family: four dynamically
dysfunctional adults living together at home where conversations are
filter-free and no topic is taboo except one: why didn’t Billy or his family
ever learn sign language?
Experience this intimate play like never before at the
Taper. Available for this production, a limited number of $20 on stage seats
are available. This audience will be “up close” to the action, from the comfort
of a theatre seat. With only 6 seats in each row, on stage seating brings the
audience closer to the personal touches director David Cromer brought to his
off-Broadway production. Click here to see a pdf of the Taper seat
map including on stage seating locations. Due to their unique nature, these
tickets are not available for late seating, wheelchair accessibility or those
who need to leave their seat during the performance.
Special Ticket Offer!
Just $37 (Reg. $50) for select performances in Section A. Valid for evening performances February 27 and 28 and March 3, 5, 6 and 7. To purchase tickets call 213-628-2772 and mention code SILENCE or online here.
Just $37 (Reg. $50) for select performances in Section A. Valid for evening performances February 27 and 28 and March 3, 5, 6 and 7. To purchase tickets call 213-628-2772 and mention code SILENCE or online here.
*Subject
to availability. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. May not
be combined with any other offers. Offer applies to Section A seating
only.
Friday, March 01, 2013
Reminder: While I am posting here, most of my special needs daily posts now appear on my professional Facebook page. Here are the links to my current social networking sites.
Facebook- Special Needs Parenting Posts
Pinterest- Special Needs Parenting Board-Fav Resources
Twitter-Judy Winter
Tumblr-Winter Visions: pretty things. pretty words. pretty images. General interest blog.
RicStar's Camp Update:
Drum roll, please! Registration for the 11th annual RicStar's Camp is now open to ALL. Go forth and make merry music, but get registered first.
Celebrate Abilities, too!
Details here.
Erik Taylor Photography. All rights reserved.
Drum roll, please! Registration for the 11th annual RicStar's Camp is now open to ALL. Go forth and make merry music, but get registered first.
Celebrate Abilities, too!
Details here.
Erik Taylor Photography. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
RicStar's Camp Update!
Reminder to all RETURNING RicStar's Camp participants! Just two more days before registration and all the music making and fun open up to ALL. Secure your place now. Camp will be full. Wait list rarely, if ever, moves. You've been warned. :)
Focused on Celebrating Abilities!
Erik Taylor Photography. All rights reserved.
The Sandwich Kid & Special Needs Sibs:
A few years ago, I was involved in a wonderful sibling project called, The Sandwich Kid, a short film about the role of siblings in special needs families. Filmmaker/friend/mom, Keri Bowers, just re-shared this wonderful work with me and now I’m sharing it with you. I’m proud to have been part of this valuable effort, one that still has great impact today. See it here.
A few years ago, I was involved in a wonderful sibling project called, The Sandwich Kid, a short film about the role of siblings in special needs families. Filmmaker/friend/mom, Keri Bowers, just re-shared this wonderful work with me and now I’m sharing it with you. I’m proud to have been part of this valuable effort, one that still has great impact today. See it here.
If
you can’t watch the entire promo but would like to hear my words, I come in
around 6:30. But I think the entire piece is worth your time and view. You can
find out more about the complete video of The Sandwich Kid and Keri’s other work on special needs here.
Siblings
of brothers/sisters with exceptionalities will always be my heroes.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Faces of Ability: Evan Fiorella
My hubby and I loved having dinner last night with our Canadian friends and RicStar's Camp participant, Evan Fiorella and his terrific mom, Alison. We are so proud of Evan and inspired by his amazing talent and determination in light of the challenges of having cerebral palsy and wheelchair use.
Here is a recent State News feature on Evan and his love for and study of music at Michigan State University's Community Music School. Well worth the read. Makes me proud to be a Spartan.
We're also incredibly proud that RicStar's Camp exists. Music changes lives. So do great families like the Fiorellas.
What's your child's big dream?
My hubby and I loved having dinner last night with our Canadian friends and RicStar's Camp participant, Evan Fiorella and his terrific mom, Alison. We are so proud of Evan and inspired by his amazing talent and determination in light of the challenges of having cerebral palsy and wheelchair use.
Here is a recent State News feature on Evan and his love for and study of music at Michigan State University's Community Music School. Well worth the read. Makes me proud to be a Spartan.
We're also incredibly proud that RicStar's Camp exists. Music changes lives. So do great families like the Fiorellas.
What's your child's big dream?
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Reminder: Most of my special needs posts now appear on my professional Facebook page. Here are the links to my current social networking sites.
Facebook- Special Needs Parenting Posts
Pinterest- Special Needs Parenting Board-Fav Resources
Twitter-Judy Winter
Tumblr-Winter Visions: pretty things. pretty words. pretty images. General interest blog.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Brief update to the post below and others like it, Sometimes I'm asked if publicly addressing/flogging such naughty behaviors only adds to the person's fame/name/time in the media spotlight. In this case, I don't think Joan Rivers needs my help with fame. She's already got it.
What people sometimes don't fully understand about my work is that one of the big responsibilities I've taken on as a special needs advocate/writer is to not remain silent, always shake it off, join in the nervous snickering and then quietly go away when the special needs population is insulted or worse. Whether or not the person in question ever apologizes isn't the point. Although, if they do, it's a bonus.
I boldly speak up in hope of bringing greater awareness, sensitivity, understanding and much-needed intelligent conversation about those with special needs to help counter the on-going perpetuation of deep-seated ignorance, stereotypes and insulting behaviors about disability that exist today. I bring words to light and examine them. That's part of my job and I hope my actions help give others permission to speak up, generate valuable conversation and become effective advocates in their own way.
In short, I believe strongly that:
Saying nothing.
Doing nothing.
Changes nothing.
And changing nothing goes against everything my passionate work/advocacy of the past twenty years stands for. So, expect more calling-them-out mini rants from me in the future. I call it balancing things out and working loudly for needed change. You can agree or disagree with what I write.
My hope is you'll raise your voices where needed, too. There's already way too much silence.
_____________________________________
Tuesday a.m. Mini Rant: Special Needs Slap on the Head to Joan Rivers, always focused on rudely bullying everyone with her nasty tongue.
In recapping 2013 Grammy fashion hits/misses on E's Fashion Police, Rivers slams one artist wearing a dress she doesn't like by saying: "She looks like the Homecoming Queen for the Special Olympics." Yes, she said that.
In a world increasingly focused on the devastating effects of bullying, why does E/Fashion Police think this woman and her rude, hurtful digs add anything to this show? I just turn it off.
You can do better, E.
You, too, Joan Rivers. You're old enough to know better.
What people sometimes don't fully understand about my work is that one of the big responsibilities I've taken on as a special needs advocate/writer is to not remain silent, always shake it off, join in the nervous snickering and then quietly go away when the special needs population is insulted or worse. Whether or not the person in question ever apologizes isn't the point. Although, if they do, it's a bonus.
I boldly speak up in hope of bringing greater awareness, sensitivity, understanding and much-needed intelligent conversation about those with special needs to help counter the on-going perpetuation of deep-seated ignorance, stereotypes and insulting behaviors about disability that exist today. I bring words to light and examine them. That's part of my job and I hope my actions help give others permission to speak up, generate valuable conversation and become effective advocates in their own way.
In short, I believe strongly that:
Saying nothing.
Doing nothing.
Changes nothing.
And changing nothing goes against everything my passionate work/advocacy of the past twenty years stands for. So, expect more calling-them-out mini rants from me in the future. I call it balancing things out and working loudly for needed change. You can agree or disagree with what I write.
My hope is you'll raise your voices where needed, too. There's already way too much silence.
_____________________________________
Tuesday a.m. Mini Rant: Special Needs Slap on the Head to Joan Rivers, always focused on rudely bullying everyone with her nasty tongue.
In recapping 2013 Grammy fashion hits/misses on E's Fashion Police, Rivers slams one artist wearing a dress she doesn't like by saying: "She looks like the Homecoming Queen for the Special Olympics." Yes, she said that.
In a world increasingly focused on the devastating effects of bullying, why does E/Fashion Police think this woman and her rude, hurtful digs add anything to this show? I just turn it off.
You can do better, E.
You, too, Joan Rivers. You're old enough to know better.
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Weekly Special Needs Coverage TV Alert Recap.
It's been a good week for awareness for a diverse range of exceptionalities. Check out a couple of my favs on my Facebook page. Kudos, Katie Couric and Ricki Lake!
Monday, February 04, 2013
Monday Mini Rant:
A couple of days ago, I viewed a great video piece about a young man with special needs. Overall, it was well reported and powerful. But, as too often is the case, it also included an introduction to the story that included the words, 'the man 'suffers' from..... (name of his disability). An unnecessary, negative word that detracted from otherwise good reporting. It also suggests an air of pity.
So here's my reminder to the media. Please, try to refrain from using the word 'suffer' or 'suffering' whenever you are reporting on or writing about someone with special needs.
How do you know they are suffering?
Better to simply say/report that the person has.....(name of condition), rather than suffers with.....
Please, lose the emotional, lacking-in-objectivity embellishment, one which may or may not be accurate. Thank you!
Monday Mini Rant over.
Special Note: Here's an Article I penned a while back to help your further understand why such word usage is especially sensitive to many families facing the challenges of special needs parenting.
When you know better, you do better.
A couple of days ago, I viewed a great video piece about a young man with special needs. Overall, it was well reported and powerful. But, as too often is the case, it also included an introduction to the story that included the words, 'the man 'suffers' from..... (name of his disability). An unnecessary, negative word that detracted from otherwise good reporting. It also suggests an air of pity.
So here's my reminder to the media. Please, try to refrain from using the word 'suffer' or 'suffering' whenever you are reporting on or writing about someone with special needs.
How do you know they are suffering?
Better to simply say/report that the person has.....(name of condition), rather than suffers with.....
Please, lose the emotional, lacking-in-objectivity embellishment, one which may or may not be accurate. Thank you!
Monday Mini Rant over.
Special Note: Here's an Article I penned a while back to help your further understand why such word usage is especially sensitive to many families facing the challenges of special needs parenting.
When you know better, you do better.
Friday, February 01, 2013
Ravens Superfan, Matthew Jeffers, Gives Powerful Perspective on Super Bowl XLVII and On Life and Helps Redefine Disability
"The only disability in life, is a bad attitude." -Matthew Jeffers
As Super-Bowl Sunday approaches and the yearly sports furor escalates to new heights, here's some perspective from Baltimore Ravens superfan Matthew Jeffers, a 21-year-old acting student and senior at Townsend State University in Maryland.
Jeffers, who is short statured, has boldly faced many tough life challenges and is now facing one more. His mother may be dying. Jeffers recently sent an e-mail entitled, 'A Reason to Win,' to Ravens Head Coach, John Harbaugh, hoping to fuel his team on to victory. Jeffer's words got the coach's attention big time. If the Ravens win on Sunday, they should offer a special thanks to Jeffers, who just may have provided the team with that special extra something and golden motivation needed to win it all.
Everybody should view Jeffers powerful message. It's better than the Super Bowl commercials. Yes, it is. The media is all over this feel-good story. You'll be hearing more.
Thank you, Matthew Jeffers, for putting the game of life into perspective so beautifully.
Click here to watch the Ravens superfan deliver his powerful words/performance.
A star is born, one focused on ability.
"The only disability in life, is a bad attitude." -Matthew Jeffers
As Super-Bowl Sunday approaches and the yearly sports furor escalates to new heights, here's some perspective from Baltimore Ravens superfan Matthew Jeffers, a 21-year-old acting student and senior at Townsend State University in Maryland.
Jeffers, who is short statured, has boldly faced many tough life challenges and is now facing one more. His mother may be dying. Jeffers recently sent an e-mail entitled, 'A Reason to Win,' to Ravens Head Coach, John Harbaugh, hoping to fuel his team on to victory. Jeffer's words got the coach's attention big time. If the Ravens win on Sunday, they should offer a special thanks to Jeffers, who just may have provided the team with that special extra something and golden motivation needed to win it all.
Everybody should view Jeffers powerful message. It's better than the Super Bowl commercials. Yes, it is. The media is all over this feel-good story. You'll be hearing more.
Thank you, Matthew Jeffers, for putting the game of life into perspective so beautifully.
Click here to watch the Ravens superfan deliver his powerful words/performance.
A star is born, one focused on ability.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
ANNOUNCING REGISTRATION FOR RETURNING CAMPERS FOR THE 11TH ANNUAL ERIC 'RICSTAR' WINTER MUSIC THERAPY CAMP:
Drum roll, please!
Announcing the 11th Annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp at Michigan State University's Community Music School (MSU/CMS) in East Lansing, Michigan. As we open the camp doors for our second, terrific season of celebrating music and abilities, there are a few important changes. First: New location in the beautiful, newly renovated Community Music School on Hagadorn Road right across from the gorgeous MSU campus. Second: We will have two camps this year, instead of just one.
-Children and adolescents will make music on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 10th thru June 12, 2013.
-Adults will attend camp on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 13th thru June 15th, 2013.
-For returning campers, that means the yellow/green/pink/orange groups will meet Monday thru Wednesday. The blue/lime green/purple/red groups will meet Thursday thru Saturday.
-Both camps will have an end-of-camp Be-a-Star Showcase and all campers will perform on stage.
-Returning campers can mail in the required registration form with payment beginning TODAY! Camp fees are $195 per camper and $375 for two campers/same family.
-Campers five years old and younger will have the option of attending in the morning or in the afternoon. The fee for the half-day campers is $100.
-The 2013 RicStar's Camp will begin accepting NEW campers on March lst. That means that returning campers must have their registration form/payment in the CMS office BEFORE March 1st. Reminder: camp fills up quickly each year and the wait list rarely moves.
-Repeat: You must have your completed registration form/payment into the CMS offices asap in order to hold a place on the camper list. Please, make sure you sign the registration from on the front AND back.
-Contact Cindy Edgerton, RicStar's Camp director, if you're intersted in receiving financial aid or if you have additional questions, including opportunities for campus lodging.
RiStar's Camp focuses on ability, modeling inclusion and celebrating the power of music to change lives. We also have lots of fun. See you at summer camp!
Note: CMS is currently updating their site with the 2013 info/registration. If needed, you can also download the 2013 registration form at my website JudyWinter.com, click on RicStar's Camp page.
Drum roll, please!
Announcing the 11th Annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp at Michigan State University's Community Music School (MSU/CMS) in East Lansing, Michigan. As we open the camp doors for our second, terrific season of celebrating music and abilities, there are a few important changes. First: New location in the beautiful, newly renovated Community Music School on Hagadorn Road right across from the gorgeous MSU campus. Second: We will have two camps this year, instead of just one.
-Children and adolescents will make music on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 10th thru June 12, 2013.
-Adults will attend camp on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 13th thru June 15th, 2013.
-For returning campers, that means the yellow/green/pink/orange groups will meet Monday thru Wednesday. The blue/lime green/purple/red groups will meet Thursday thru Saturday.
-Both camps will have an end-of-camp Be-a-Star Showcase and all campers will perform on stage.
-Returning campers can mail in the required registration form with payment beginning TODAY! Camp fees are $195 per camper and $375 for two campers/same family.
-Campers five years old and younger will have the option of attending in the morning or in the afternoon. The fee for the half-day campers is $100.
-The 2013 RicStar's Camp will begin accepting NEW campers on March lst. That means that returning campers must have their registration form/payment in the CMS office BEFORE March 1st. Reminder: camp fills up quickly each year and the wait list rarely moves.
-Repeat: You must have your completed registration form/payment into the CMS offices asap in order to hold a place on the camper list. Please, make sure you sign the registration from on the front AND back.
-Contact Cindy Edgerton, RicStar's Camp director, if you're intersted in receiving financial aid or if you have additional questions, including opportunities for campus lodging.
RiStar's Camp focuses on ability, modeling inclusion and celebrating the power of music to change lives. We also have lots of fun. See you at summer camp!
Note: CMS is currently updating their site with the 2013 info/registration. If needed, you can also download the 2013 registration form at my website JudyWinter.com, click on RicStar's Camp page.
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Reminder: Most of my special needs posts now appear on my professional Facebook page. Here are the links to my current social networking sites.
Pinterest- Special Needs Parenting Board-Fav Resources
Twitter-Judy Winter
Tumblr-Winter Visions: pretty things. pretty words. pretty images. General interest blog.
NEW INTERVIEW-HOLIDAY TIPS AND SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES:
I was hoping to have my recent December interview about special needs holiday tips before now, but better late than never. Hopefully, this will provide you with on-going support for all those future gatherings/celebrations. It's not seen during this interview, but my book's title is, 'Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations.' I'm also an expert contributor to the book, 'Easy to love but Hard to Raise: Real Parents, Challenging Kids, True Stories.' My words also appear in the book, 'A Special Kind of Love: For Those Who Love Children with Special Needs,' and in dozens of newspapers/magazine columns and features, both in print and online. Reminder, that you can also access most of my new posts on Facebook. Facebook Page-Special Needs
Interview on You Tube:
Holiday Tips and Special Needs Families
Former Interview about my book on this same program:
Special Needs Families/Judy Winter-Author
You can find samples of some of my national interviews at JudyWinter.com/media page.
Judy Winter Website/Media Page
Monday, December 17, 2012
Reflections on Sandy Hook
I will begin this new week as I have done after each new senseless loss and tragedy, especially after the death of my own son, with acts of kindness. And, my certified therapy dog, Jack, and I will return to serve our local elementary school of 2nd/3rd graders this week with more than just coveted holiday candy canes and reindeer ears (Jack). We will bring with us renewed purpose, more open hearts and listening ears, tighter hugs and greater appreciation for the tough work facing the educators/staff daily, many of whom I know would do exactly what those at Sandy Hook did. We don't respect this profession nor support it nearly enough, even as so many of our children arrive with increasingly complex needs. That, too, must change.
Will you please join me with your own actions of compassion this week? You won't have to look far to uncover a need. Promise.
Less rhetoric. More action.
My angel and greatest teacher, Eric Richard Winter. Jenna Winter Photo.
My angel and greatest teacher, Eric Richard Winter. Jenna Winter Photo.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Reminder: Most of my special needs posts now appear on my professional Facebook page. Here are the links to my current social networking sites.
Facebook- Special Needs Parenting Posts
Pinterest- Special Needs Parenting Board-Fav Resources
Twitter-Judy Winter
Tumblr-Winter Visions: pretty things. pretty words. pretty images. General interest blog.
Pinterest- Special Needs Parenting Board-Fav Resources
Twitter-Judy Winter
Tumblr-Winter Visions: pretty things. pretty words. pretty images. General interest blog.
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