Here we are again at the end of the year. To say it’s been a year is an understatement.
Once again, my year was filled with adventures, achievements, and trials and tribulations. Through my fifty-one years on this earth, I’ve learned that life must have its ups and downs to hopefully teach how to adapt and appreciate simply existing.
I started 2024 by celebrating another blessed birthday and setting goals for myself. I’ve completed many of my goals, including completing the first draft of my memoir, which will be published in 2025. Trust me, you’ll want to buy, read, and share this book because it’s all about how I’ve made it through life to get where I am today.
My advocacy work has reached new levels. I’ve always known it was my passion, but how I’ve been able to advocate for myself and others this year has been amazing. I’ve assisted family members and friends in finding medical equipment, sought out education programs, and lent my expertise to many college students in the field of disabilities.
I became the very first Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council’s Community Ambassador. Talk about a great experience—this one was! As my duty as ambassador, I could choose two important disability topics in Dayton and share them with the public. One of my topics was universal changing tables. For this topic, I brought together a few people to record a podcast who were working diligently on making sure changing tables were implemented around the city and the state.
The second topic I took on was Adult Fun Inclusion. Dayton is doing exceptional work in this area. I surveyed three organizations and provided a question-and-answer paper for all to become informed. I also had the privilege of hanging out with another Dayton business on the rise that’s providing full adult fun inclusion in the community at a great event.
Check out my findings below:
Myrtle Beach was where my favorite guy and I vacationed this year. I could actually sit on the beach with the help of the beach wheelchair that I rented.
https://gesmv.org/its-sand-accessibility-for-shari/
As always, my blog continued to bring awareness to many subjects, keeping everyone entertained this year. I had some amazing guest bloggers who brought excitement to the blog with topics ranging from child screening https://gesmv.org/a-day-in-the-life-at-the-child-screening-program-by-sarah-wrazen/, celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month https://gesmv.org/celebrate-developmental-disabilities-awareness-month-ada-progress-by-mary-ellen-pfeil/, to college experiences https://gesmv.org/our-college-experience-by-shari-cooper-matthew-rizer/.
My year ended with my mother becoming my guardian angel. Although I will always mourn the loss of my mom, I will continue to go on and make her proud, for that was one of her wishes.
With this, I say, peace out 2024!
You have quite the life my friend. Talk about all the highs and lows one person can experience in under a year. Whew!! God bless you as you learn to navigate life with your mom watching over you in opposed to standing beside you. I’m sure she’s proud. Thank you for showing us how to LIVE. There are so many ways you can and have inspired others. This includes me. Your bravery, enthusiasm and resilience are all pieces that make you uniquely you. Never allowing fear to stop you from the obstacles that are often set before you. You are a guiding light. I’m hopeful that 2025 will exceed expectations in that of miracles that will happen for and through you. We need monthly fashion vlogs. What inspired January’s look? Peace out 2024:)
Shari, congratulations on all your accomplishments in 2024! I am excited to read your memoir when it is published in 2025. Your comment regarding your mother was touching. Such a supportive mother is hard to lose, however, the right thing to do is to carry on and keep “making things happen.” I have a feeling my relationship with my mother was very similar to the relationship you had with yours. Happy 2025, Shari!
Monae & Mary Ellen!
Thank you both for the heartfelt comments. It’s so wonderful to have friends like you two.
Soi sorry for the loss of your mother. Thank you for speaking up about Universal Changing Tables and the need for people with developmental disabilities to have fun in the community in a fully integrated capacity. I would love to attend these events.