Dreaming and Planning With Our Teenager With Down Syndrome
We had a planning meeting last February for our teenage daughter, Penny, who has Down syndrome. Penny invited friends, family, and teachers to join her for this conversation. Dreaming and…
My Daughter With Down Syndrome Helped Me Understand Racism
How did disability help me understand racism? I am white, married, educated, and affluent. Our daughter Penny was born into many of these same categories, and yet she was also…
Three Harms of Privilege
The harm of privilege is exclusion, injustice, and isolation. When I say the word privilege, I’m talking about a set of unearned social advantages given to one individual or group…
Welcome! Let Me Introduce Myself
Hello friends! I’ve been writing blog posts, teaching, speaking, and writing books for years, but I wanted to pause for a minute and introduce myself to any new readers and…
S3 E2 | Living into the Really Real with Micha Boyett
How can we talk about race and disability without conflating the two? How can white, able-bodied, neurotypical people enter into this conversation? What is the difference between “white fragility” and…
Jean Vanier and Abuse: Is His Work Discredited?
Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche community, beloved author, speaker, teacher, and mentor to thousands, winner of the Templeton prize—sexually abused multiple women over the course of many decades, according…
The Truth About Disability and Siblings
"How do your other children react to having a sister with Down syndrome?" People ask this question frequently, both out of curiosity and also from concern about the long-term impact…
Teaching Students About Inclusion and Belonging
Teaching students about inclusion and belonging gives them a more expansive view of humanity. Because of advances in special education, many kids today are growing up with more openness to…
How a Baby with Down Syndrome from Brazil Is Changing Lives in Zambia
As we move towards a season of thanks and of giving, I invited my friend Holly Nelson to tell the story of the Special Hope Network, a ministry that equips…
Embracing Our Common Humanity
I’ve recently adopted “embracing our common humanity” as my shorthand for what I am attempting to do with my writing and speaking. If you look back through my blog you…
