voiceability

 Sandy Schroeder and Debbie Wilde A Non-Profit Makes Good on Its Promise By Annie Uyehara             This reporter was on a roll, finding more stories to write about for the Inclusion Campaign for Valley Life For All. Having learned so much about people with challenges and disabilities, I wasn’t ready to give it up.              But Debbie Wilde, Executive Director, and Sandy Schroeder, Vice President of the Board of Directors, are happy see the conclusion of Valley Life For All, for it is a success story, a book where the reader has come to the last page and is satisfied.              And, like finishing a good book, there’s a sense of the bittersweet, says Wilde. “It was a wonderful ride with amazing people. I’m delighted to be a part of a nonprofit that met its mission. That’s the ultimate goal of a nonprofit.”             VLFA began in 2010 the dining room of Margaret “Gary” Bender, whose daughter has Down syndrome. She was joined by another parent, Katie Grange, who also had a ch

Celebrating the ADA in Glenwood Springs By Annie Uyehara             Jimena De La Cruz was being wheeled around by her parents, Andrea Ramos and Mario De La Cruz. The sights and sounds were exciting; Glenwood Springs had its first annual American with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebration at Two Rivers Park this July. It was also disability pride month. There was a small and diverse crowd, but one in which all had a commonality: They either supported those with disabilities or were a person with a disability, some of whom prefer to call a challenge or an ability.             For Jimena’s parents, the celebration-complete with speakers, live music and some vendors-was an opportunity to be a part of a community. Jimena, 9, has cerebral palsy. “I do feel alone sometimes,” being a parent of a child with disabilities said her father, Mario. “It would be nice to have community.”             Mia Obreque, age 10, has autism. She was helping hand out flyers with her mom, Maribel Obreque, director