Author: Shari Cooper

I love my local independent living center. Centers for Independent Living is a non-residential, community-based organization governed and staffed by people with disabilities. When I need help in my life, I always turn to my local center in Dayton called Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL). ACIL always has something cooking – literally. ACIL has... Read more »

As we start a new school year, crayons are one of the most popular items on supply lists. Crayons are fun to draw with and bring back lots of childhood memories, but they also create a palette of colors that represent an array of causes. Often, these colors are presented in a heart or ribbon... Read more »

My good people, it’s National Sandwich Month! Can we agree there’s nothing better than a big ole double-decker sandwich piled up with your favorite, meat, cheese, veggies, and condiments? When I learned there was a month celebrating sandwiches, I had to investigate the origin. According to my research, one of the first accounts of the... Read more »

How hard would you fight to finish something you started? I can pose this question to myself because I’m always fighting hard to complete something I’ve started. From getting dressed, to picking my phone up off the floor, it’s a challenge. During these challenges, interruptions like fatigue and anger stop by to frustrate me, but... Read more »

I’ve always wondered why essential items cost so much for people with disabilities. Have you ever priced a scooter? A scooter is my primary source of mobility. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to move around independently. A basic model without the bells and whistles can start around $1200. If you want one with Shari-level... Read more »

The 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is on the horizon. Thanks to this act, I have the freedom to live the happy and independent life I’m living as a person with a disability. For people who may not be aware of the act’s importance, I’d like to welcome today’s guest blogger,... Read more »

If I had to pick one thing to eat for the rest of my life (besides pizza), it would be ice cream! Ice cream is one of life’s guilty pleasures. It’s so good it has its own section in the grocery store. When shopping, I watch people picking different items to put in their cart... Read more »

I love giving things away. I’m talking about everything from clothing to shoes to pots and pans. After I no longer need or want things, I joyfully give them away. There’s something about the action of giving things away that makes my heart happy. Another good thing about giving something away is there’s always someone... Read more »

Hello, Friends! I’m Amber Hargett, recently appointed Public Relations Manager for GESMV. Recently, I achieved a milestone: completing my first 100 days with Goodwill! In that brief amount of time, I have learned SO much – especially from our blogger-in-chief, Shari. Shari’s passion for building awareness in the community is infectious. A powerful advocate, she... Read more »

Monday, June 30th is Social Media Day. I never knew what good social media could be used for until I started working in the Marketing Department at Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley (GESMV) as Public Relations Assistant. There are over 40 programs and services at GESMV to assist people with disabilities and others in need.... Read more »