Insights, Blogs & News
Bicycles, Anxiety and Hope
I’m still struggling and experiencing panic attacks! Today , at work, I was hit with a wave of anxiety that I couldn’t shake. My mind kept drifting back to the morning conversation with my son. He seemed down, and when I asked him why, he shared his frustration with me. My son had recently broken his foot in an accident while we were riding our electric bikes to the grocery store. We had done this trip before, and he was always so creative, using a makeshift cart to help carry things. This time, though, things took a terrible turn. We […]
Invisible No More in 24
Oftentimes in order to move forward, we need to look back. The Invisible Disabilities Association was founded in 1996. What was the reason for the founding of IDA? People would see my wife, Sherri get out of our car in an accessible spot and since she was not in a wheelchair, they would yell at us. “You’re not handicapped, you can’t park there.” Sherri said to me, “people don’t know all of the impact of my illness and disability because they can’t see it, I have an invisible disability.” We had never heard or seen the term before. Therefore, IDA […]
Disability ID Symbol Available in Colorado
Disability ID Symbol Available in Colorado Overcoming disability discriminations with voluntary, government approved Disability ID Symbol and Database Legislation DENVER, COLORADO July 2022 – Coloradans living with invisible disabilities who may not be able to effectively communicate with first responders or law enforcement officers in emergency or tense situations now have a voluntary option to choose to add a designated disability symbol identifier to their Colorado driver’s license or government identification card. As of July 1, 2022, the new Disability ID Symbol is now available which was signed into law by Colorado Gov. Polis in June of 2021. The law, […]
Visible Courage
Today is a very special day. Today, July 18th, is my wife, Sherri Connell’s birthday! I have been wondering how I can honor Sherri and show her how truly grateful I am for her. It is hard to believe we met almost 30 years ago. On March 21st of 1992 to be exact, Sherri walked into the RadioShack I was managing and walked into my life. We were married on 9/4/94, yes a date I chose so I wouldn’t ever forget. Besides, I knew I would marry her the day I met her. Why did I fall in love with […]
The Hidden Free Federal Program That Provides Free Job Placement Help to Job Seekers on SSDI or SSI
There are millions of people nationwide who receive SSDI or SSI disability benefits who are unaware of a special ‘return to work’ program created by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This program offers a gradual approach, free job placement help, and many protections and safety nets for disability and medical benefits. Sound too good to be true? The Social Security Ticket to Work Program is both good and true! The program is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year and is changing lives every single day! What is the Ticket to Work difference? It is free and voluntary, and all service […]
The Smiles of the Invisible Heroes
I’m sitting at my home office desk where I have been for the past 10 weeks. It is hard to imagine I am experiencing some of the same emotions and impact as the entire population on earth. I remember hearing from my parents about their parents and how World War I and World War II were global events. Feelings of fear and dread often creep up. My wife Sherri, living over three decades with MS and Lyme disease is high risk. Thank you Covid!! I think of parents and their children and their thoughts of mortality. It reminds me of […]