Going Fast! Camper Spots for 8th Annual 'RicStar's' Camp

Just 10 camper spots left for MSU's 8th Annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp (aka 'RicStar's Camp) for individuals of all ages/disabilities & their sibs (June 17 thru June 19th).

If you want in on all the music magic, or know someone who does, act fast! Scholarships are available. For more info, click here.

Therapy Dog, Sophie, on the job at RicStar's Camp / Judy Winter 2009

Judy Winter

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Remembering Dana Reeve

One of the highlights of my career was interviewing Dana Reeve for my book. What was to be a ten-minute talk turned into a two-hour blessing filled with her spirited wisdom. Dana would have been 49 today, and like her husband Christopher Reeve, is greatly missed by the special needs community.

Here's a special tribute to this remarkable woman from one of my favorite organizations, the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation (CRF).

I will never forget our brief time together.

Photo: Mackinac Island-Grand Hotel Gardens /Judy Winter 09

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For the wee bit of Irish in ye

Jack, and I, wish you all a Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Aren't we all just a wee bit Irish today?

Photo Judy Winter

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Kudos to Filmmaker Keri Bowers

LA filmmaker/activist/mom Keri Bowers, has done some terrific work on the topic of special needs, including autism. Keri's oldest son, Taylor Cross, is an aspiring filmmaker and was diagnosed at with autism at age fifteen.

I'm fortunate to be included in Keri's film about special needs siblings entitled, 'The Sandwich Kid.' You can see a promo of that film here. To find out more about Keri's important work/tour schedule, or to order copies of her films, click here.

Special needs siblings are my heroes.

Image used with permission.

Judy Winter

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TV Casting Alert! -Down Syndrome

If you're in Southern California, act quickly on this great opportunity from my buddy Gail Williamson at the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA)/ Heart & HaloTalent Division!

Casting young teen girl with Ds:

'I am looking for a teen girl in Southern California, age 12 or older to play 12, who has Down syndrome, any ethnicity. To submit, send a photo with name and date of birth along with contact person and cell phone to my email by Monday, March 15th for submission to producers. Please write "Casting" in the subject line. This is for a pretty high level public service announcement.'

Contact Gail Williamson here.

Photo of me with Gail Williamson at my Nov 2009 keynote in Santa Barbara.

Judy Winter

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Kudos to John C. McGinley for Using Celebrity for Important Special Needs Advocacy

John C. McGinley is famous for playing the role of Dr. Cox on ABC's hit show, Scrubs. But he's quickly becoming almost as well known for his special needs advocacy efforts, including a key role in the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, and other efforts promoting the dignity of those with intellectual disabilities . McGinley's son, Max, has Down syndrome.

Kudos to the actor/dad for using his celebrity for such valuable advocacy efforts, efforts that help improve life opportunities for millions with special needs, including his own son.

Read McGinley's take on the importance of the end-the-word campaign in the Huffington Post here. Sign the pledge to stop everyday use of the r-word here.

Photo of John C. McGinley, National Buddy Walk Spokesman, and his friend and mine, actor Blair Williamson & girlfriend, Susie, at the 2009 Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) Buddy Walk at the Santa Anita Racetrack, California. Judy Winter. Used with permission.

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Focusing on Ability -Scott MacIntyre from Season 8 of American Idol

Scott MacIntyre, a contestant from Season 8 of American Idol, made it all the way to the final eight before being eliminated. Scott, who is visually impaired, has a new album coming out entitled 'Heartstrings.' Read the AOL interview here.

I love a good success story, and focusing on ability.

Photo RicStar's Camp 09 Judy Winter

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Love this! -Morgan's Wonderland Accessible Family Fun Park

Opening April 10th, a fully accessible theme park for individuals with special needs. Located in San Antonio, the mission of Morgan's Wonderland is to "set a new standard for excellence in providing outdoor recreational opportunities for individuals with special needs and their families." 'Bout time.

Check it out here.

Thanks, Texas!

Photo Judy Winter

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8th Annual RicStar's Camp Now Open to All!

Enrollment is now open for ALL potential campers with special needs, all ages, and their sibs, for the 8th Annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp held at Michigan State University's Community Music School (MSU/CMS). Scholarships available.

Click here for info/registration form. Camp WILL fill up fast, so don't delay!

With the focus on inclusion, showcasing individual abilities, and fun, this camp rocks!

Photo of 'RicStar' with camp director, Cindy Edgerton. 2002

Judy Winter

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Spread the Word to End the Word March 3rd, 2010

Sign the pledge here.

Read about today's effort in essay by Tim Shriver and Soeren Palumbo in The Observer here.

To read a good editorial about use of the R-word by my friend, Sharon Emery, a member of the board of the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, click here.

Logo courtesy of Special Olympics.

Judy Winter

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Accused Mom Struggled to Help Autistic Son

Like others, I am horrified and deeply saddened by yesterday's Associated Press story, "Accused Mom Struggled to Help Autistic Son," by Verena Dobnik. Gigi Jordan is accused of killing her 8-year-old son, Jude Michael Mirra, who had autism.

This tragic story is also a reminder to all of us of the severity of the challenges and stresses that often face many families of children with autism and other special needs.

Rather than judge this mother, perhaps we should use this harsh reality to advocate for the provision of greater resources and services, financial and emotional support, awareness of family struggles, research for cures, and respite for these families.

This child's death, and others like his, should not be in vain.

For the complete article, click here.

Photos Judy Winter

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From Service Dog to SURFice Dog

If this story of man's best friend doesn't touch your heart, I don't know what will.

Watch the video From Service Dog to SURFice Dog here.

Jack (and I) give it two paws up. Pass the Kleenex...

Photo Judy Winter 10

Judy Winter

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Minute Vacations -March 2010

Coming to summer gardens everywhere, soon.

Photo Judy Winter 09

Judy Winter

Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations

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Words of Wisdom from Aristotle -March 2010

"Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow." -Aristotle

Photo Judy Winter

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Newsworthy! -Upcoming Special Needs Events of Note

Here are just a few of the rapidly approaching, newsworthy events involving special needs.

March 1st:

Registration opens up to all individuals interested in attending the 8th Annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp, offered through Michigan State University's Community Music School (MSU/CMS). RicStar's Camp is open to individuals of all ages with a wide range of special needs, and their siblings. Scholarships are available. Camp fills up quickly! For more info and to download a registration form, Click here.

March 1st thru March 21st: Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles (DSALA) national awareness effort: 221 Days, 21 Quotes from 21 People with Trisomy 21 for World Down Syndrome Day. To submit a quote for consideration, click here. The person submitting the quote must have Down syndrome.

March 14th:

Holly Robinson Peete co-stars in the new season of The Celebrity Apprentice to help raise awareness/money for autism through her foundation the HollyRod Foundation. You go, girl!

March 21st:

World Down Syndrome Day. Click here.

April 9th-11th:

Abilities Expo Los Angeles Convention Center. Click here.

April 21st:

PBS program 'Through a Dog's Eyes,' which chronicles the journey of individuals with special needs as they prepare for becoming recipients of assistance dogs. 8-9 p.m. ET. Check local listings to confirm. Find out more here.

Plus:

VSA arts offers several contests/programs for creative souls with special needs. I love this organization, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more, click here.

Check back to this post for additional updates.

Photo by Judy Winter 2010

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REMINDER-8th Annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp Registration Underway

REMINDER: This is the final week for RETURNING campers to register for RicStar's Camp before camp opens up to new campers beginning March 1st.

The 8th ANNUAL ERIC 'RICSTAR' WINTER MUSIC THERAPY CAMP, a music therapy camp for individuals of all ages/disabilities and their siblings, will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 17-19, 2010 at MSU's Community Music School, located at 841 Timberlane in East Lansing, Michigan.

One registration form must be completed for each camper. Camp fees are $185 for one camper, $350 for two campers same family, and $510 for three campers from the same family. Scholarships are available. You must send in registration form and a payment in order to be placed on the enrollment list. Warning- camp filled up in MARCH last year, so act quickly to ensure a place at this popular camp! For more info and registration form, click here.

Photo of 2009 RicStar's Camp participant by Judy Winter

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Remembering My Son -Eric Winter

On the seventh anniversary of this mom's tremendous loss, I am remembering with all my heart.

Your music lives on in so many beautiful ways, RicStar!

I'll love you forever.

Judy Winter

Breakthrough Parenting for Children with Special Needs: Raising the Bar of Expectations

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You Decide -Arguments For and Against Use of the R-Word

I've already stated my support of and reasons for not using the R word in casual conversation, a subject that has garnered lots of attention and commentary in the media. Here are two more recent takes on this on-going controversy, one for and one against.

Read Christopher Fairman's argument: The Case Against Banning the Word 'Retard, here. Tim Shriver's response: The Bigotry Behind the Word Retard, can be found, here.

I'm Team Shriver, and pro dignity for millions of people with intellectual and other disabilities worldwide. I also continue my support of refraining from using outdated, hurtful language that reinforces painful stereotypes for other minorities and women as well.

The fact this issue is being discussed in 2010 says how far the special needs movement has come. Still, we've got miles to go before many people truly understand and appreciate why we should care about this population's on-going human-rights struggles, and how the use of one powerful, six-letter word can have such negative impact on their lives.

As a devoted mom who parented a child with a disability for nearly thirteen years, it's a painful reality I understand all too well.

Photo Jenna Winter

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Olympic Torch Bearer Rick Hansen Rocks!

There are some moments in the world of special needs advocacy that require few words, although the word 'powerful' quickly comes to mind. Seeing wheelchair athlete and spinal-cord-injury activist extraodinaire, Rick Hansen, as a torch bearer for the Olympics Opening Ceremony was one of those moments.

Canada's 'Man in Motion' is paralyzed from the waist down, the result of a car crash at age 15. What Hansen has done since, including winning 19 wheelchair marathons, six medals in the Paralympics, and raising 26 million dollars for spinal cord research, is nothing short of remarkable. He is an inspiration and a great example for us all.

"When we remove barriers, anything is possible," Hansen states.

I couldn't agree more.

Find out more about the man and his mission and see videos of his 2010 Olympic appearance at the Rick Hansen Foundation.

Photo Judy Winter 09

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New York Times -The Subject of the Sibling

Good piece in The New York Times Magazine yesterday entitled 'The Subject of the Sibling,' by Susan Senator, mother of an autistic son. Read it here.

It's always good when the special needs sibling's voice is heard. Not always easy to hear their uncensored words, but important that we do so.

Photo of Jenna and Eric Winter by Judy Winter

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