Wednesday, March 07, 2012
An Especially Valuable Take on the R-Word- The Voices of Sibs- My Heroes
Guest Post on Maria Shriver's Blog - It All Begins with Us by Susan Senator
Read the guest post on Maria Shriver's blog about use of the R word by Susan Senator, author of Making Peace with Autism: One Family's Story of Struggle, Discovery, and Unexpected Gifts, here.
Image courtesy of Special Olympics. Used with permission.
CNN & Ending the R-word. Ban it or Understand It?
Good CNN piece today by Emanuella Grinberg about efforts to eliminate the word retarded from our language. The piece includes an interview with mom/blogger Ellen Seidman of Love that Max (see last post).
Today has become a huge day for intelligent conversation, and that represents big progress for the disability community.
Read Ending ther R-word. Ban it or Understand it? here.
Image courtesy of Special Olympics. Used with permission.
Love the Love That Max Video Would You Call My Child a Retard?
Love that Max is a terrific website about one mom's spirited take on raising Max, an adorable child who has cerebral palsy. Max's mom produced a powerful video that expresses beautifully why so many of about want to stop casual use of the r-word. It's not about censorship. It's about respect for all. Please take a moment to watch the video and then consider joining me in signing the pledge.
Would You Call My Child a Retard? is well worth your time and reflection. I'm not sure anyone, including me, has voiced the reason for our call to action more perfectly.
Courtesy image.
Brought tears to my eyes.
Today is Spread the Word to End the Word Day
Lots of conversation has been generated because of today's official Spread the Word to End the Word Day, an effort spearheaded by Special Olympics to make us all think before using the word retard in everyday language. Because I believe strongly in this effort to make the new r-word Respect, today's posts are all about that effort, beginning with the familiar banner and a call to join us.
Please join me and sign the pledge.
Respect is a much better word.
Here's my post briefly stating why I support this effort.
Watch Circle of Friends video 'Disable the Label' here.
Courtesy image. Used with permission.
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Lives Worth Living-Christine Rouse
Christine F. Rouse was recently featured on Kathy Lee & Hoda for the segment Everyone Has a Story for her work on behalf of those with special needs.
Rouse is executive director of Acting Without Boundaries (AWB,) a year-round theater experience for those with physical disabilities. She is also executive director of Kids Are Kids, a disability awareness educational workshop she created at age 16 in response to the daily teasing she endured because of her differences. 'What makes us different, makes us beautiful,' is the Kids Are Kids mantra.
Rouse, who today has a B.A. in elementary education, has cerebral palsy.
Find out more about Christine and her terrific work here.
Lives Worth Living. Focused on Ability.
Courtesy photo.
Monday, March 05, 2012
Life Balance -Congratulations to Coach Izzo & My MSU Spartans!!
Congratulations to Coach Tom Izzo and the Michigan State University ((MSU) Spartan basketball team for hanging yet another Big Ten championship banner at the Breslin Center in East Lansing yesterday afternoon. Special kudos to Tom Izzo and Draymond Green for being named Big Ten Coach of the Year (Izzo) and Big Ten Player of the Year (Green).
Can't work all the time. Life balance.
What Tom Izzo has accomplished at MSU is simply amazing. Proud to be a Spartan.
Now, bring on March Madness, and the Detroit Tigers, too.
Judy Winter Photography
Monday Morning Jump Start-Joel Osteen
Food for Monday morning thought:
"If you are the smartest one in your group, your group is too small." -Joel Osteen.
Love.
Photo Judy Winter
Special Olympics-Spread the Word to End the Word 2012
Friday, March 02, 2012
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!
My son, Eric, loved it when I read Dr. Seuss books at bedtime and screwed up the words with my own crazy, mixed-up versions. Got to the point where my boy wouldn't tolerate me reading any of them as written. 'I do not like green eggs and spam; I don't like 'em and neither does Sam.'
I still treasure the memories of all those loud giggles.
No disrespect intended to the literary master.
No disrespect intended to the literary master.
Happy Birthday Dr. S!
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Special Needs Kudos -The NBA and Special Olympics Play Together
Look at the cool inclusive event between Special Olympics athletes and members of the NBA.
Big progress, and fun.
Watch it here.
Big progress, and fun.
Watch it here.
Judy Winter Photography/NCAA Finals Detroit
Thanks, RicStar!
Preparing for another big year of changing lives at RicStar's Camp, all because of my amazing, sweet boy.
Thanks, buddy! xoxoxoxo
Your sweet music lives on.
Judy Winter Photography
Hear Yea!! -RicStar's Camp Registration 2012 Now Open to ALL!
Registration for the 10th annual Eric 'RicStar' Winter Music Therapy Camp (aka RicStar's Camp) at Michigan State University, for individuals of all ages and disabilities and their siblings, is now open to all interested campers. Camp fills quickly and the long waiting list rarely moves. Scholarships are available, as is lodging for a fee. So don't delay.
You must submit the application form and your check to hold a place. Find that and more here.
Photo Judy Winter Photography
A decade of celebrating abilities!
Photo Judy Winter Photography
Words of Wisdom from Rev. Ed Bacon- March 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Media Alert! -Gail Williamson Discusses Entertainment Weekly Piece on Actors with Down Syndrome
Join Gail Ford Williamson of Down Syndrome in Arts & Media (DSiAM) tomorrow on the Sheena Metal Experience (Live LA) LIVE from 5 to 6 PM PST (9 p.m. EST). Gail will be discussing the Entertainment Weekly article about actors with Down syndrome. Please listen and tell your friends with children with DS to listen. You can also call in and add your voice.
Click here and click on LISTEN LIVE or call in at 323-203-0815. Open for important discussion and greater awareness.
Go Gail!
Courtesy images used with permission.
PBS Features The Healing Power of Music
Thanks, in part, to interest in Gabby Giffords' remarkable recovery from injury to the brain, here's a terrific piece about the power of music therapy to heal a wide range of disabilities and brain injuries. During the past decade, we've witnessed and celebrated the magic of music therapy many times at RicStar's Camp. It's a remarkable profession that changes lives.
This piece helps most better understand how/why. I only wish they'd included our camp. Perhaps a followup in June?
Watch The Healing Power of Music here.
I'm already a convert.
Special Reminder: Registration for ALL campers interested in attending RicStar's Camp opens tomorrow! Scholarships are available, as is housing for a fee.
Photo Judy Winter Photography
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