Author: Shari Cooper

Learn about the Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley (GESMV) Child Screening Program and how it helps many from guest blogger Sarah Wrazen, Child Outreach Coordinator. Shari Coffee. The day always starts with coffee. And screening surveys. It’s become such a morning ritual that my staff jokes “Are you free? I don’t want to barge in on... Read more »

For many with disabilities, going back to school not only means back to hitting the books, but it also means going back to therapy. I was one of the kids who were doing both. Occupational, physical, and speech therapy was the name of my game for twelve years of school and a little before. I... Read more »

I never learned how to swim when I was younger. Although I love going to pools, lakes, oceans, and beaches, typically when visiting any of these water venues I’m limited to just putting my feet in the water. The only time I can go into a body of water is when someone carries me or... Read more »

I love going to see plays. Some of my favorite plays that I’ve seen at the Dayton Schuster Center are Motown, The Lion King, and Tina. You would think with all of the plays I’ve seen; I would have seen an actor or actress in a wheelchair. When I say this, I mean an actor... Read more »

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be celebrating its 34th anniversary on July 26th. The ADA that was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush in 1990. Because of the ADA, I have the freedom as a person with a disability to have a good life. And a good life is what... Read more »

Using emojis is fun and makes communicating more exciting. Emojis were created in 1999 by Japanese artist, Shigetaka Kurita, for Japan’s mobile carrier NTT Docomo’s mobile platform, I-mode. These days, emojis are a national way of writing messages. They are so popular that one could use them to send a message using little to no... Read more »

Today is Fashion Day! If you know me and know me well, then you know I love to be fashionable. Every day I strategically chose what I’m going to wear. It doesn’t even matter if I’m going anywhere, I still put on my fashionable clothes and accessories because they make me feel good from the... Read more »

July 21-27 is Ohio Service Dog Awareness Week.  Unless you have a service dog, you’ll never understand the depth of the relationship between a service dog and its handler. Today, welcome guest-blogger Linda Pelfrey as she gives you an inside look at this unique bond. Shari In February of this year, my 7th Seeing Eye... Read more »

Hooray, hooray, today is Social Media Day! Because of social media outlets, my life has transformed tremendously! Social media outlets allow people to not only reach out to loved ones and friends, but it’s also a good way to find out what’s going on in the community and to see what events I may like... Read more »

Toy mega mogul, Mattel, is at it again! Barbie now has a service animal! For years, I’ve been blogging about how I wished there were more opportunities for Barbie to showcase more disabilities and inclusion.  For a long time, there were no barbies representing girls with disabilities. No matter your color, age, or disability, you... Read more »