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.

Fall in with Accessible Trails

It’s that time of the year when beautiful colors start to appear. Burnt oranges, browns, dark reds and tans are of the now. Yes, fall is here. Fall, which is my favorite time of year, produces some of the most beautiful colors. I’m always looking for a place to take in the colorful scenery and... Read more »
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Good Showing for Ohio at the Paralympics

I really enjoyed watching the recent 2024 Paralympics Games in Paris! The Paralympians were great, and I was glad to see the great Buckeye state, Ohio, well represented and have an outstanding showing. To honor my state, I’d like to give kudos to some of its great Paralympian athletes. Grace Norman, from Jamestown, Ohio won... Read more »
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Family Fitness Is Good For All

Saturday, September 28th is Family Health & Fitness Day. In today’s society, many struggle to maintain a healthy weight and be fit. Life is so busy that most individuals don’t have time to prepare, cook, sit down at the dinner table and eat healthy meals. It just seems to be easy to order out or... Read more »
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Accessibility Outing Tool

So many times, I’d wished there would have been a tool to let me know whether an establishment wasn’t accessible before I wasted my time to venture there. It’s very disappointing to go somewhere only to find out I can’t get in because it isn’t accessible. It also makes me angry when someone says, “I’m... Read more »
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A Skydiving Wrong Turns Into A Greater Friendship Triumph

Friendship is a wonderful thing! I have many friends, a few who I’ve known since kindergarten. My friends and I love doing things together. Some activities are just funnier when you have your bestie beside you. My friends and I have traveled, shared many meals, partied, and celebrated many accomplishments together. When two friends, Emma... Read more »
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It’s Sand Accessibility for Shari

As you all should know by now, I love life and all it has to offer. I love attending or going to any place I hear about that sounds fun. I am very much a social butterfly and I don’t let any grass grow up under my wheels. My mother used to say, all someone... Read more »
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Be Kind To Human Kindness

This week is Be Kind to Human Kindness! I love the kindness of human beings. I have been shown much kindness in my life and I’m very appreciative of it. A lot of human kindness was on display at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. I was glued to the television for sixteen days watching various... Read more »
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A Day in the Life at the Child Screening Program By: Sarah Wrazen

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 »
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Water Accessibility

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 »
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