Author: Shari Cooper

Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is turning 32, I have quality of life. As a person with a disability, I don’t know where I would be without this civil rights act; for it has opened up a world of opportunities for myself and so many others. My friend, Maria Matzik, and... Read more »

July is Disability Pride Month, and I’m hyped. Although, I face many challenges as a person with a disability, I’m proud of myself and very proud to be a part of this unique community. In this case, the definition of pride is; the achievements of the those whom one is closely associated with, or from... Read more »

As the world turns, so does people’s age. Aging is a part of life, and just because it is, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a quality of life. Along with aging may come many challenges. One such challenge is Dementia, which will require people who poses empathy to bring forth special care to those who... Read more »

Unfortunately, the caregiver crisis is still alive, and well. Since my blog on this issue a few months ago, I know of at least one of my friends under the age of sixty who’s had to go into a nursing home. My friend was not ill, but instead, needed everyday care to live which includes,... Read more »

Last weekend my favorite guy and I had a great adventure on the island of Put-In-Bay. I heard a lot about this unique island, so I decided to go see for myself what all the hype was about. Like with everywhere I go, I did my homework on activities, restaurants, and accessibility challenges that I... Read more »

Often, when you have a speech impairment or are non-verbal, people think you’re incompetent. I know this to be true because I have a speech impairment and have been fighting that stigma all my life.  In my current role as Public Relations Assistant, I give many presentations about the programs Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley offers... Read more »

As an African American, I’m very proud to celebrate Juneteenth! Just to give you a little history of how Juneteenth came to be, President Abraham Lincoln originally freed slaves by signing the Emancipation Proclamation into law, January 1,1863. Unfortunately, some were not very happy.  No matter how much we try to ignore or not want... Read more »

Often, if you don’t know about someone’s struggle, you’re quick to assume. I love sharing awareness about my disability in hopes of opening people’s eyes of the beautiful differences that make up this world. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is something I know little about. Yes, I’ve heard of it, but until you hear and learn about... Read more »

I imagine, when first becoming blind, it can be very difficult to handle. I’ve had a disability since birth. Although, I was able to walk until the age of 32, I still had to deal with the challenges cerebral palsy brings. When I lost my ability to walk, I was not a happy camper but... Read more »

It’s Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley’s (GESMV) Miracle Clubhouse 10-year anniversary, and it’s time to celebrate! Because of Miracle Clubhouse, many with mental illness are living a more productive life. Like with any disability, mental illness may cause its daily struggles, but people who have it, don’t want it to stop them from having a quality... Read more »