Shifting the Dominant Culture’s Interpretation of Our Experience

Author and blogger Debra Seigel writes activists, advocates, and savvy writers everywhere have the opportunity to frame public debate about the complex forces shaping the lives of women and girls.
The same goes for activists, advocates, and savvy writers who want to frame the public debate around issues shaping the lives of people with labels [...]

A Creative Space

Couldn’t resist posting this photograph of our little cabin by the creek, longing as I do to get back in there when the weather clears. Its a creative space, where I can begin the process of bringing forth patterns and images of my experiences.

Event – Art Exhibition Begins April 1

Thrilled to announce that my original watercolor and mixed media paintings will be on exhibit at Southern State Community College, south campus, Sardinia Ohio. The exhibit includes the “We Dance Together” series which depict my education about community, social justice, and oppression, learned along a life journey with Katie. I fell into and [...]

Can You Lend a Hand?

Lend a hand to my next art series – please. I need handprints of your baby or toddler with Down syndrome. Must be in digital format – either photographed (best) or scanned, but must be palm side, open hand. I know….I’d be asking the same thing – why should you trust me [...]

A New Book by Peter Block – Community: The Structure of Belonging

The publication date for Peter Block’s new book is May 12 and I can’t wait to read it. Community: The Structure of Belonging is described as a book about “Citizens [who] have the power to change the community story and bring a new context into being. Block shows us how we can overcome isolation [...]

More Powerful Insights from Jonathan Mooney

In a March 9, 2008 interview on Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), author Jonathan Mooney talks about his visit with the Basford family and what he learned from Katie. Here’s an excerpt from that interview. Mooney speaks so beautifully to the power and meaning of community.

Strategic Resistance of Normalcy – A Brief Conversation with Jonathan Mooney

You just have to stay with this 5 minute video all the way to the end (through the typical interview “how did you overcome your differences” and “special people” viewpoints). That’s when Jonathan has the chance to flip traditional assumptions and beliefs on their head.

Jonathan Mooney is Coming to Ohio in April 2008

In 2002, Jonathan Mooney and a small entourage made a 2 day visit to our farm in a well worn short bus, part of Mooney’s ‘epic journey’ to “learn from others once labeled abnormal who have learned to live in beautifully original ways.” The result of his time here with Katie (my daughter) and [...]