WINTER RAMBLINGS

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Weekend Spirit: Rumi

"Wherever you stand, be the soul of that place." -Rumi

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Judy Winter. Author. Barnes and Noble, NYC.

A reminder that you will find much more regular special needs updates on my professional Facebook page.

Check it out here.

JudyWinter.com

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

In honor of March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, this guy. I will always love him.

My forever muse.

JudyWinter.com

These are especially difficult times in our country and world. Hate, violence, lack of civility, dishonesty and darkness seem to be the new norm.

But I believe strongly that eventually love, goodness, humanity, compassion and light triumph all.

Powerful stuff.

The song "Love Wins" by Carrie Underwood seems to be an anthem and a light for me right now. Maybe it will brighten your life, too.

Few things are a sure bet. But this much I do know.

Music holds the power to heal us.

If only for a few moments of much-needed respite.

And, Love Wins.

Listen here.

JudyWinter.com

Love not Hate

My thoughts are with the people of New Zealand during this time of unspeakable horror and tremendous grief and loss.

Love not hate.

Judy Winter Images 2018

www.JudyWinter.com

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Weekend Spirit

"As she waits for the future, she leans into the present, for there are truly beautiful things to be gathered there." -Morgan Harper Nichols

Do you see them?

www.JudyWinter.com

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, and all those that fight for equality and justice for all, especially for our children, I share with you this powerful battle cry: "The Champion" by Carrie Underwood and Co. Never give up.

You're far more powerful than you know.

Watch Champion here.

www.JudyWinter.com

Facebook Reminder

As we take on the many challenges of 2019, a friendly reminder that you'll find more regular posts (usually daily) on my professional Facebook page.

www.JudyWinter.com

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

CHRISTMAS REFLECTION 2018

Christmas Reflection.

Each December, when my heart and soul start to feel a bit off in light of all the holiday magic, festivities and lovely holiday updates from others, I take time to check in with my son.

Eric passed away unexpectedly in 2003 at age 12 from complications of cerebral palsy.

At this especially emotional and frantic time of year, I gift myself respect and attention for the place in my heart that will never full heal, a sacred place reserved just for a mom and her beloved son.

With powerful emotions never far from the surface.

Holding Eric close to my heart at Christmas is a healing tradition that helps center my holiday world.

Makes it a tad brighter, too.

If you're grieving, and I know many people that are right now, I hope this post helps grant you permission to honor your loss, even embrace some new traditions in time.

Forget other people's expectations.

Loss is hard. Carrying it around forever is hard, too. Remember to take care of yourself. Be gentle. Patient. Loving. Hide under the covers if needed.

Try not to drink.

The intensity of grief won't last forever.

If you're trying to support someone that has experienced great loss, don't go silent.

Show up.

Ask about his/her loved one, then listen to the resulting, heartfelt, emotional words.

Your full attention is a sacred, healing gift that never gets old. No matter how much time has passed.

And for the record, a parent never gets over losing a child. Ever.

I will always be the mother of two children. Just ask me.

www.JudyWinter.com.

HOLIDAYS TIPS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES

Judy Winter Images

One from the archives.

My Holidays Tips for Special Needs Families.

Still timely.

'Tis the season, after all.

Feel free to add your own.

Watch mine here.

www.JudyWinter.com

MADELINE STUART HAS HEART SURGERY

Judy Winter Images

Madeline Stuart, that popular, ground-breaking model with Down syndrome, recently had open-heart surgery.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for full healing. Stuart has been a big part of helping redefine beauty in the fashion world.

Read about her recent health news here.

www.JudyWinter.com

Monday, December 03, 2018

DECEMBER PARENTING FOOD FOR THOUGHT

SANTA DOG REMINDS YOU TO CHECK OUT MY FACEBOOK PAGE!

Want more disability updates more quickly?
Santa Dog reminds you to check out my professional Facebook page, where I usually post daily.
Find, Like and Follow the page here.

www.JudyWinter.com.

MONDAY DISABILITY NEWS RECAP

Judy Winter Images.

Here's a Monday recap with just a few of the stories about disability currently making news.

George H.W. Bush and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). THV11.COM.
Here.

George H.W. Bush's service dog rests near casket in moving photo: "Mission Complete." USAToday.com. Here.

Jenni 'Jwoww' Farley's 2-year-old Son Diagnosed with Autism. People.com.
Here.

Twelve students with Down Syndrome complete noncredit college course at BCTC. ABC 36 News
Here.

Children with special needs share magical moment with Santa at Oakland Mall in Troy. CLICKONDETROIT.COM. Here.

www.JudyWinter.com

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 2018

Judy Winter Images.

A valuable post in honor of today's International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

One billion people worldwide. World's largest minority group. Too often ignored, mocked, maligned, undervalued, and left out of the diversity discussion.

That's finally changing, evidenced in part, by this timely CNN.com piece, "Join the world in in recognizing the strengths and struggles of people with disabilities."

Long overdue. Much work remains.

Read it here.

www.JudyWinter.com