More Than a Summer Job: Employment for People with Down Syndrome
I never expected to walk into an ice cream shop and see Penny, our daughter who has Down syndrome, sitting behind the register, putting in orders. But there she was—on…
Who Counts as Human? with Brian Brock, PhD
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S10 E8—Difference often exposes our tendency to rank people as “better” or “worse.” Theologian Brian Brock, PhD, joins Amy Julia Becker to explore a life…
Celebrating Milestones: Anniversary, College Dreams, and a Graduation Blessing
This past week, Peter and I celebrated our 27th anniversary with two nights away in Mystic, CT. We are BIG fans of short vacations close to home, and Mystic did…
2024 • By Cloe Poisson
Rejection and the Voice of Love: Announcing Everyone Matters
One of the things that comes with being a writer is rejection. Earlier this spring, I received another rejection for an essay I had written, alongside a series of polite…
Why Forgiveness Isn’t the First Step with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S10 E7—Saying "I'm sorry" isn't enough to repair personal or institutional harm. Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, author of On Repentance and Repair, joins Amy Julia Becker to…
Image by Ant Armada from Pexels
Advice for Penny’s First Solo Flight: A Network of Care in the Skies
Our daughter Penny is 20 years old and has Down syndrome. I cannot believe the outpouring of support, encouragement, and advice we received from far and wide—including multiple Delta executives…
2015
Penny in Fourth Grade: What Inclusion Teaches Us About Disability, Education, and Belonging
When she was in fourth grade, Penny was supposed to do a project on a “big question.” She decided to learn about Down syndrome. Later, after she made her presentation,…
Photo credit: Hannah Cohen
Who Gets to Tell the Story? Disability, Hollywood, and Family with Craig Thomas
REIMAGINING THE GOOD LIFE PODCAST S10 E6—Is disability a tragedy to overcome, a burden to bear, an inspirational lesson for everyone else? Or is there a different story to tell,…
By lakshmiprasad S from Getty Images • Canva Pro
Juneteenth, Human Flourishing, and the Practice of Love
Years ago, our daughter was rejected from a preschool program as soon as the director heard that she had Down syndrome. The label she received at birth of “disability” seemed…
2024
Taking the Next Step: Preparing for Penny’s First Solo Flight
I just got off the phone with Delta Airlines. I explained that Penny—our 20-year-old daughter with Down syndrome—will be flying on her own for the first time this summer. We…
