Imagine traveling a deserted, desolate stretch of crumbling highway past abandoned commercial facilities and dilapidated shacks. Snarling dogs chase you; wind and sun turn your skin raw; people stare at you as you pass. Imagine rolling along a quiet country back road on a bright, sunny morning. The cotton harvest provides unfamiliar, interesting activity. Prosperous-looking […]
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Who Belongs?
Note: as I process my experience from Rich’s Ride I’ve been writing some of my thoughts about accessibility and inclusion. Previous articles include Ain’t No Normal and An Able Bodied World? One of the surprises we encountered during Rich’s Ride was a church with a designated seating area for folks with “special needs.” We weren’t […]
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Rich’s Ride provided countless rewards and a few challenges. One significant test arrived in the form of a question. A Christian disability-advocacy group invited me to a meeting. I began as I often do with a small audience, by asking what they wanted me to talk about. After a short pause, a lady began the […]
Continue readingMore TagAin’t No Normal
Before the ride began I did my annual physical, including lab tests on various fluids and functions. When we discussed the results the doctor handed me several papers. Each item listed my results and a range that’s considered “normal.” I’m fortunate—aside from the whole paralysis thing I’m quite healthy. In all important categories on the […]
Continue readingMore TagWhat Is Character?
What’s your personal understanding of “character”? I appreciate questions. I guess that’s one reason I still love teaching—I enjoy the challenge of creating an environment that fosters open, frank discussion. I value tough, sincere questions even though I often don’t possess answers. A few weeks ago during Rich’s Ride I tossed out a statement that […]
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Happy Monday! Returning to “real life” after Rich’s Ride offers another perspective on today’s word-of-the-week… ROUTINE I’d guess that for most of us, “routine” has a somewhat negative connotation. Routine often means boring, repetitive, same-old-same-old. Most folks don’t dream of accomplishing something routine. However … Sixty-four nights of hotel rooms, restaurants, new places and people […]
Continue readingMore TagBetween Here And Now
“What did you learn—what’s the take-away?” I get that question a lot as I tell stories from Rich’s Ride. I’m still processing the answer. I’m not sure I’ve generated any earth-shattering insights—mostly it’s stuff I already knew and needed to be reminded about. Here’s one principle that challenges me as I think about where this […]
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Happy Saturday! A friend sent me this video, I suppose because I’m something of a math geek. As I watched, I didn’t see formulas and physics. I appreciate those things and the people who seek a deeper understanding of how the universe works. Sometimes I enjoy digging into the math and science myself. But in […]
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So … did you get out into the madness of Black Friday? I’m never quite sure what to do with the day after Thanksgiving. After an overdose of turkey and being stuffed with stuffing, after football and naps and pumpkin pie, after pausing to be intentionally thankful, here’s this day sort of stuck in before […]
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(Note: I’m posting this on both blogs. Sorry if you received it twice.) So … did you get out into the madness of Black Friday? I’m never quite sure what to do with the day after Thanksgiving. After an overdose of turkey and being stuffed with stuffing, after football and naps and pumpkin pie, after […]
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A few weeks ago I posted this video over at Rich’s Ride. Frankly, I can’t think of anything better to share on Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for you. If you can’t see the video, click here. Grateful I’ve got a roof over my head I’ve got a warm place to sleep Some nights I lie awake […]
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As we all pause and give thanks, we want you to know how thankful we are for your love, encouragement, and support. Happy Thanksgiving! Hope does change what’s possible.
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