Now sitting pretty at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart (and still climbing), the hit single "Renegades" has earned the band X Ambassadors a lot of fame and recognition.

It's likely earned them a pretty penny, too - considering it's in every new Jeep Renegade commercial on TV. 

What many people may not know, however, is that the song is actually a tribute to people who have disabilities - and a celebration of their abilities and their strength. 

Their inspiration may have come from the fact that the band's keyboardist, Casey Harris, is blind. 

When you see the video and read through the lyrics (posted below) you'll hear the song in a whole new way - and it might just mean a little more.

Read More

The celebrated Depression-era photographer Dorothea Lange once said, “The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” 

I have never believed that more than I do now, having just experienced Rick Guidotti’s incredible Positive Exposure: Change How You See, See How You Change installation.  

Read More

Yesterday I attended a training session for Care Managers and it changed my life and the way I look at the work that we're doing.

I know that I've written about Dr. Tom Pomeranz (and how amazing he is) before - but after yesterday's training I feel even more fortunate to have him on our MediSked Advisory Council. 

A true visionary, Dr. Pomeranz spent the day talking to us about the past, present, and future of the IDD industry and while it's somewhat horrifying to see where we've been, it's reassuring to remember how far we've come, and most importantly - I've never been more hopeful and excited about the future. 

The training was a full day, I took tons of notes, and I honestly wish that I could share them all with you. However,  in the interest of time and your attention span - I've narrowed it down to the four messages that impacted me most. 

1.An institution is not a place - it's a state of mind. 

Read More

Last night, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Cleveland Browns 11 - 10 in a preseason game at FirstEnergy Stadium. 

Joey Pagano, a Syracuse native and avid Browns fan, was at the game with his family - thanks to the kindness and genorosity of a complete stranger.

That stranger just happened to be Buffalo Bills' wide receiver Marquise Goodwin.

After attending the Bills and Browns' joint Tuesday night practice in Rochester earlier this week Pagano, who has cerebral palsy, was patiently waiting for an autograph.

Marquise Goodwin, who has a younger sister with CP, took the time to talk with Joey and ask if there was anything he could do for him. When he found out that he didn't have tickets for yesterday's game, he promised to get him as many as he needed and another fan caught the exchange on camera. 

Read More