Category: Make Things Happen

Blogger-in-chief, award-winning public speaker, and disability awareness advocate Shari Cooper provides insight, humor, and reflection on a range of issues.

Art You Can Feel

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 »
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Dayton Art Institute Is A Place For All

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 »
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Ameera Joins The Block

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 »
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Coming Out of the Dark

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 »
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Keep America Beautiful

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 »
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DEI DIGEST BY: Guest-Blogger Malon Hood & DEI Committee

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 »
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CODA- A Golden Perspective Into The Deaf Community

Every community has its own unique culture and unless you’re a part of it, know someone, or are invited in, you may never understand how one lives. I’ve found the deaf community to be a very private community that often does not invite outsiders. Although I never understood why this was, I respected their culture.... Read more »
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Living with (and without) Bipolar Disorder By Miles H.

In the past, many individuals felt ashamed if they suffered with a bipolar disorder. Matter of fact, until about a decade or so ago, no one even knew what a bipolar disorder was. Living with any disability can cause its own struggles, but it’s the negative judgements from others that often makes it even harder.... Read more »
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Women Rock

Happy Women’s History Month. There are many women I admire that have helped shaped me into the strong independent women I am today. Without the mentoring of great women, many girls wouldn’t have the knowledge needed to grow into the women they are today. As a woman with a disability, I admire the pioneers who... Read more »
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