Author: Shari Cooper

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 »

Where do you go to see the beauty of the fine arts? I’m talking about Van Gogh, Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms, and Norman Rockwell and whose artwork makes you stop in your tracks and marvel at its beauty. I go to the Dayton Art Institute! The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) is a very mystical... Read more »

When hearing the first verse of this song, Sunny days, everything, aye ok, you immediately know it’s the theme song to Sesame Street. I love Sesame Street! My siblings and I grew up watching it as kids. Each character had its own unique look. My favorite by far was, and still is, Oscar the Grouch!... Read more »

We’re finally in the season of Daylight-Saving time and I’m so happy! Although I love the fall and winter season, I especially like it when the leaves change on the trees, drinking apple cider and hot chocolate, wearing my very fashionable boots, and celebrating Christmas; but the fact that it gets dark at 5 pm... Read more »

Celebrate Keep America Beautiful Day with guest-blogger Cindy Carusone by learning of tips to help you do so. Shari Keep America Beautiful Unless you’ve been under a rock for a year, you’ve probably noticed everything is getting expensive these days. We’re all paying more for food, gas, rent, utilities– inflation is rearing its ugly head... Read more »

As a woman, who’s black, and has a disability, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is very important to me. I love to see DEI being represented everywhere I go. Unfortunately, it isn’t, usually I’m the one at the table representing the three characters that make me who I am. When you don’t see people who... Read more »