Supportive Living: What an inclusive day looks like.

A Good Day! As the number of adults with autism and developmental disabilities rise, many professionals and parents ask me what I am looking for? Will I ever be satisfied? Is it just a pipedream or can we really build an inclusive community around a person with severe...

It’s a Jungle out there| Inclusion in the Grocery Store

photo credit: Swamibu 2006 Aaron, my son with the labels of autism and developmental disabilities, had a doctor’s appointment so I brought him late to his adult day program. A Visit to the Jungle—Jungle Jim’s that is. Thanks to cell phones, I connected with his group...

Systems Theory| Family Reunions part 2

This is Part 2 of a 3 part series: Going to the family reunion, or not? Part 2: The Circles of Life See Part 1: Going to the family reunion, or not? See Part 3: Going to the family reunion? Shave your armpits. The Circles of Life We’ve all heard the quote about...

Hope for Families of People with Disabilities|Bob Perske

Robert and Martha Perske Today I was thinking of Martha and Bob Perske. Martha’s beautiful sketches of children with disabilities are in frames over my desk and in buildings all over this country. Bob is now gone, but as we each get older and wonder if our lives...

Norm Kunc| What’s Your Credo?

Every day people challenge me: Why do I believe what I believe? The news is focused on controversy about DEI: Diversity, Equality, Inclusion. What’s wrong with the Medical Model? What’s wrong with the Charity Model? What’s the big deal about...

Language of the Heart| Heartaches and Heartsongs

photo credit: qthomasbower In the post: Caring Community| People First Language we talked about the power of labels, negative stereotypes and the paradigm shift of looking at all people as PEOPLE First! Today, on Valentine’s Day, I am asking you to think about...