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.

A Place For Hope

Unfortunately, when living in urban areas, services people need to maintain a quality of life don’t exist. It’s sad, but true. When not in range, simple amenities such as health care, job assistance, and a place to exercise are sought out in places people can’t even get too. In this post, learn from Goodwill Easterseals... Read more »
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Super Signing Performance

The big game was awesome! I love the excitement of it including the game going into overtime, seeing all the big-time celebrities in the stands, and yes, Usher gave an awesome halftime show. I also loved how the producers of the National Football League (NFL) went above and beyond to incorporate disability inclusion in the... Read more »
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Snack Happy

Did you know that February is National Snack Month? If you think about it, snack food has probably been very prevalent during many major events in your life. Let’s ponder for a minute, what snack food were you eating when watching the last movie? What snack were you snacking on while studying for an exam?... Read more »
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Love Is In The Air

Love is a great feeling! It’s even better when it’s reciprocated. I would wonder if the whole love thing was ever going to work out for me. Don’t get it twisted, I know I’m a fly girl, but I often questioned, would I ever meet a man who was going to love me unconditionally. The... Read more »
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Football & Disabilities

It’s almost time for the big game! Although my favorite team, the Cincinnati Bengals, won’t be playing, I’ll still be watching. I’m mainly excited because the very talented and oh so fine Usher will be headlining the halftime show. I’ll be jamming out in front of the tv when he comes on for sure. As... Read more »
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28 Plus 1 Amazing People Celebrate Black History Month

Welcome to my annual list for Black History Month.  Help me celebrate these twenty-nine amazing people who I admire for stepping out and changing the world! Victor Pate Jr.-My nephew who’s co-owner of Fortitude Dayton, a person-centered company. As a person with a disability, it makes me proud that he’s providing a service to enhance... Read more »
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Change In 2024

As I roll into 2024, I’ve been pondering what I can do to better myself. I’m not down with making resolutions because I can never seem to keep them, but I do want to make a few changes. I think my need for change is because I turned 50 years old last year and I... Read more »
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Our College Experience By Shari Cooper & Matthew Rizer

Attending college is an experience and Everyone’s experience is different. For me, it was good most of the time, but there were some days, I wanted to throw in the towel.   As a person with a disability my major issue with college came from the inability to use my hands to write. I’m sure... Read more »
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Mentors Mean So Much

January is National Mentorship Month! A few years back, I mentioned a few mentors that had really had an impact on my life including, my elementary principal Peter Lanasa, United Cerebral Palsy’s past Executive Director, Thomas Bankston, and my neighbor, Pearl (Cookie) Cook. Since it’s National Mentorship Month, I wanted to mention a few more.... Read more »
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