Four spectacular students aged 14 to 45 were confirmed yesterday at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in an awesome service of sacred flow and celebration. Along with the five leaders who helped them in this quest, the students stood before the congregation to make their verbal and American sign language promises to God and the congregation. … Continue reading Confirmation for Persons with Disabilities Yesterday
Hardly anyone has seen inside his own eye, but with the right equipment someone can. An eye examination led me this week to Dr. Rosa Tang, neuropthamologist at the University of Houston multiple sclerosis eye facility. It may be the only such facility of its kind in the United States. The latest equipment and specialists … Continue reading MS Eye Facility
The Texas Senate is holding public hearings this week on $16 billion cuts over the next two years to the Health and Human Services agencies and the programs they run. There is a lot to be radically upset about if you are the parents of or are a person with disability needing a helping hand … Continue reading Disabilities Funding Cuts in Texas
For a state who ranks last in the United States to consider further cuts for persons with disabilities is downright sinful. I didn’t get up grumpy. Had a nice breakfast, read the paper and then checked my email with listings of legislature. I’m glad the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities exists, or I wouldn’t … Continue reading Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Gets A Plus
I have produced a CD for buddy/mentors of children with disabilities, and am completing one for mentors and leaders of adults and teens with special needs. It defines the role of mentors, tells how the roles vary, talks of medical information and has an information sheet, suggests safety practices and gives simple and basic teaching … Continue reading Special Needs Mentor CD Available
When is a disability not a disability? When you discover an ability or try to develop a gift you have. The new year would be a good time to do this. Try along with me. For openers try some whimsy, humor, giggles, a new way of expressing yourself. My whimsical way of starting the new … Continue reading Ability Happy New Year
When little kids don’t get their way, sometimes they throw a tantrum, kicking and screaming and pounding the floor with their fists. Usually it doesn’t help them get their ways, just a lot of being ignored or sent to their rooms when they calm down. Didn’t get what you wanted? It’s that way often when … Continue reading Disability Without Tantrums
It’s Official! Mayor Anise Parker presented me with The Mayor’s Disability Advocate of the Year Award at City Hall on Tuesday with family, friends and co-workers present as support. In a wheelchair for the last 15 years, I was the recipient of an award for a disabled advocate. Other awards were to Dr. Cynthia Peacock … Continue reading Mayor’s Disability Advocate of the Year Award to Naomi Mitchum
Books Every Child Can Bloom in the Inclusive Classroom, Ramps’nthings Press, 2015 Harps in the Willows, Strengths for Reinventing Life, Chalice Press, 2001 (now out of print and offered from Ramps’nthings Press) The Long Road Home Romance Collection, Judi Ann Ehresman and Naomi Mitchum, Barbour Books, Adobe Digital Edition, Kindle and MobilPocket Edition, 2014 Quick Look … Continue reading Published Works
Children with Disabilities love a seek-and-find story. I’ve been busy making boxes of story for our children’s group. Find boxes to fit your pictures, glue the pictures inside the boxes, and attach with tacks to the wall at eye level. Then put the lids on the boxes. Children love opening the boxes to help tell … Continue reading View Box Christmas Story