It’s a pretty interesting life to be raised with a sibling with intellectual and physical disabilities only to grow up and work in an environment where people with disabilities are my peers all across the campus where my office is.  I have the privilege to see and interact with these extraordinarily unique and special people [...]

I have been pleasantly surprised in the recent past with the use and representation of individuals with disabilities in children’s programming.  With two children under four, I see my fair share of kids’ shows.  I’ve discussed previously my adoration for the show Little Bill, but just as adults want variety in the shows they view, [...]

For the past five months of this blog, I have repeatedly referred to the special people for which we advocate as “developmentally disabled.”  Well, today the tide is changing.  It is time for us to make the change that is before Congress for Rosa’s Law.  There will be many steps to the process, but if [...]

We are so blessed that people in our community are starting to understand what we do to help the people we serve.  Furthermore, we are blessed that those same people are willing to put their money where their mouths are, literally.
In the coming week, we will collect close to 100 sold Hog for Hope bike [...]

The Rahm Emanuel incident has caused quite the conversation among journalists and media personalities throughout the country.  From nightly news broadcasts to radio talk shows it has definitely put the topic on the map. 
Recently the ladies of The View took it to task.  I learned something that I never knew until this incident, that Barbara Walters and [...]

 I don’t know if you want to call it ironic or a coincidence (which I don’t much believe it either) that just a few short weeks ago in this blog I was talking about our government leaders starting to understand our fight to advocate for individuals with special needs.  Just two days prior to that, [...]

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m an American Idol junkie.  Since midway through season 1 I’ve literally been hooked every January through June.  My husband has only been with me through the last five seasons and isn’t into music like I am, so he thinks I’m nuts.  I have, however, gotten his parents [...]

This year marks the 9th annual Hog for Hope™ fundraiser benefiting ARC Marion.  In 2002, the Heart of Florida Hope Foundation ventured into the fundraising world with several events surrounding one common theme.  Six hundred chance drawing tickets are sold for $100 each for a chance to win a custom painted one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson motorcycle.  The [...]