Monthly Diary - July 2026

By -


My monthly diary, a compilation of my meaningful experiences from the past month, will be published on my blog on the first day of each month. Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances, the monthly diary may be delayed by a day or two. Let’s delve into my new monthly diary of July 2026, which was set in my hometown of Cincinnati, Vermont, and Beyond. 

250th Anniversary of America - July 4th 
The 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4th, 2026, was a truly historic and memorable day for Americans. Cities across the country came alive with patriotic celebrations, and the air was filled with the sounds of fireworks, and joyful cheers. We honor the nation’s journey from its founding to this monumental milestone, reflecting on the values of freedom, resilience, and unity that have shaped our country. Seeing families, friends, and neighbors come together to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime anniversary was a heartwarming reminder of our shared history and the bright future that lies ahead.
I went to the country club with my parents, aunt, uncle, and caregiver, and we celebrated the 250th anniversary of the country. We all enjoyed the barbecue buffet dinner and watched the fireworks! 🎆 🇺🇸 
I am proud to be an American citizen. Words cannot express how grateful I feel to live and work in the country. As an American citizen with a disability, I have advocated for disability rights my whole life. This country is fully accessible. I continue advocating to make it more accessible and inclusive.
  



Christmas In July..... I Got Something New! 
Christmas in July brought a burst of festive cheer to the heart of summer! I treated myself to something new this year, which made the celebration extra special. The warm weather didn’t stop me from embracing the holiday spirit. Celebrating Christmas in July is a delightful reminder that joy and generosity can be shared any time of the year, not just in December.
I got a new iPad Pro 13-Inch M5! It's a replacement for my old iPad Pro. I wanted it for Christmas this year. But, my dad let me order it as a Christmas in July present. I thanked him - that was so sweet of him to give me the present. I truly appreciate his kindness and support. I also got a pink magnetic case for my new iPad Pro. It's my color! Since I started using an iPad during my junior year of high school, I have learned to use the powerful technological device and it changed my life. Now, I am an expert in iPad. I usually do communication and productivity on the iPad daily. I have two different iPads - iPad Mini, which is a to-go "big smartphone" I use for outings, and iPad Pro which is a big tablet computer I use for my work and productivity plus fun games and entertainment! iPad is always my daily living tool. I am so grateful! 🥹 

Update on My Remote Work
My remote work has been great and busy. I wrote a three-part adaptive blog series for United Cerebral Palsy along with my CP friend, Marisa Krause. I was asked by my boss at AAC peer support network project to write an outreach report and I was honored to write it. They praised my outreach efforts. I wrote a blog post about Making Space and Ascend Fellowship Program for CorMission. The blog post is also available on my blog. 

Cooper's Hawk & Moana Live Action - July 11th
I went to Cooper's Hawk's restaurant for dinner - I had a glass of Chardonnay wine, baked shrimp scampi, and a summer peach butter cake (Macerated Blackberries, Brown-Butter Roasted Peach Custard, White Chocolate Almond Crumble). The dinner was delicious. Then, I went to see Moana Live Action @ Cinemark - it was an enjoyable and entertaining movie. 

Summer Peach Butter Cake @ Cooper’s Hawk 

University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCCEDD): Community Advisory Committee (CAC) First Meeting - July 13th
I was honored to attend the UCCEDD CAC meeting at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Office Building. I became a new member of CAC!
The UCCEDD Community Advisory Committee (CAC) guides the UCCEDD and assists in the development and implementation of its vision. The UCCEDD’s CAC comprises members representing individuals with disabilities, their families, community and health professionals, faculty, and DD network partners. CAC members provide their insights on how the UCCEDD can support individuals with disabilities and their families in achieving their desired lives.
During my introductory speech to the members and staff, I expressed my pleasure and privilege in meeting new people in this esteemed organization. This presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to this team. I am fully aware of disability rights. As a CAC member, I will offer feedback and input on how individuals with disabilities and their families can lead fulfilling lives. I am passionate about mentoring disabled individuals who aspire to lead normal lives and attain greater independence. I aspire to inspire others to pursue their dreams, goals, and aspirations.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet Kara Ayers in person and discuss potential partnership with the National AAC Peer Support Network project. She is an esteemed disability expert. I told her that I know her husband, who worked with me at the local summer camp when I was an early teenager. It was a wonderful conversation.
The annual in-person meeting was a great success. We engaged in discussions on the meaning of disability and reviewed the most recent reports and policies.
As a CAC member, I will participate in four quarterly meetings annually, with three of them being virtual and one being an annual in-person meeting scheduled for July. I will review the updated reports and policies and provide feedback and input on them. I will discuss disability-related topics with the members and staff. CAC membership will be for a three-year term per term. 

Vermont & Beyond - July 18th - 26th

AAC Group Photo Session at Metzcor - July 29th
I had a successful group photo session and a brief conversation with my five peers who use AAC devices at Metzcor. As a leader and mentor, I engaged them in meaningful discussions about the significance of AAC peer support to them. They expressed their enjoyment in communicating using their AAC devices and their happiness in the group with me. I am incredibly grateful for their presence in the group and for capturing our group photo. 
Before the photo session, My AAC outreach workgroup assigned me to take a photo of AAC users interacting together. I thought It would be an excellent opportunity for Metzcor AAC users to have a group photo taken with me. I gave consent forms to 10 individuals who use AAC. 5 of them signed consent forms on time. Unfortunately, it was too late for others to sign consent forms so they didn't get to the photo session. 
After the photo session, I sent group photos to my boss- she said it's absolutely amazing. 





Cincinnati Art Museum: Art After Dark - Fashion Forward - July 31st 
I attended the Cincinnati Art Museum: Art After Dark event in the evening. The event celebrated fashion. 
I enjoyed tunes from DJ. I explored the Elizabeth Hawes: Radical American Fashion exhibition. I saw two women wearing dresses which were designed by the UC DAAP’s collection. Framester provided a specially themed photobooth - I got my photo taken from the photobootth. Sew Valley hosted a hands-on fashion experience where you can step behind two life-sized paper doll dresses modeled after Hawes’s garments and create your own miniature looks - I created 2 paper-sized fashion looks which I put together pieces of clothing. 
I really enjoyed the event - it was such a fabulously enjoyable, fun, and interesting experience. As a fashion expert, I loved exploring every fashion activity they provided. The Elizabeth Hawes exhibition reminded me of my love of vintage fashion - the dresses look so unique and elegant. 





I created a fashion look which I put together little pieces of clothing. 

My 2 Fashion Looks using little pieces of clothing. 

Me with two women wearing dresses which were designed by the UC DAAP’s collection


The past month has been great for me. It was filled with excitement, relaxation, fun, joy, laughter, positivity, emotion, and well-being. I am grateful for what I did during the past month. 😁🥰  

Thank you for reading my monthly diary. I hope you enjoy reading it. Let me know how you react to my monthly diary in the comments below.
🩷 Marisa 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Story: Living with Cerebral Palsy, Part I: Birth and Early Childhood

By -
Image
I was born prematurely on September 12, 1996. That day, as being 32 weeks pregnant,  my mama underwent an emergency c-section because she had miserable pains in her bump after admitting to the hospital two days before. I FINALLY made it @ 11:54 am! I weighed 5 lbs 5 oz. Shortly after my birth, I suffered from a traumatic stroke as a result of my diagnosis of cerebral palsy which leaves me unable to speak on my own. Me as a newborn baby girl.  Me as a newborn baby girl with my daddy  Me as a newborn baby girl with my mama  Me as a newborn baby girl Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder caused by brain damage which affects my ability to move, walk, and speak. The disorder also affects muscle coordination and balance. There’s no known cure for CP. However, people with cerebral palsy will need a wide range of medical care, therapies (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy), mobility aids such as walking aids and wheelchairs, and/or assistive te...
Read more

Travel Diary: Seattle & Alaskan Cruise - July 31 - August 10, 2025

By -
Image
Travel  Diary is a personalized and comprehensive diary designed to document my travel experiences, adventures, and reflections. It also captures places, memories, connections, and discoveries that make my travels unforgettable and memorable. The diary addresses how every place is accessible or inaccessible during my travels. I am a physically disabled traveler and I use a foldable wheelchair. I can walk with assistance and transfer to any seated positions from my wheelchair. In this travel diary, I aim to educate readers including those with disabilities about the accessibility and inclusivity of travel. It emphasizes the importance of researching destinations, creating personalized itinerary, and booking travel arrangements such as flights, hotels, and dining reservations. I assure that the trip will be unique, unforgettable, fun, meaningful, and memorable.   This diary documents what I did and how I felt during my trip. It also includes detailed descriptions of where I visi...
Read more

My Story: Living with Cerebral Palsy, Part II: School Years

By -
Image
If you missed reading my story about birth and early childhood, you should read " My Story: Living with Cerebral Palsy, Part I: Birth and Early Childhood ". I am sharing the second part of my story with all of you. The second part of my story addresses how I navigated my school years with cerebral palsy. I attended the Perlman Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for preschool. The Perlman Center provides children with cerebral palsy and other physical conditions that can help them live full life. They also support adults with cerebral palsy and other physical conditions. They have great programs such as preschool education, assistive technology, and supportive therapy. I loved the preschool program. I enjoyed spending time with my classmates. I learned to read at age 3 and spell at age 5. I encountered an elderly pediatrician and volunteer, Dr. Peerless during my preschool years. He would walk in and sit with me each and every time. We headed to my house for dinner. I re...
Read more

Monthly Diary - March 2026

By -
Image
My monthly diary, a compilation of my meaningful experiences from the past month, will be published on my blog on the first day of each month. Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances, the monthly diary may be delayed by a day or two. Let’s delve into my new monthly diary of March 2026, which was set in Florida ,   where I currently live seasonally.   March  i s Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month 💚 This month raises awareness about cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder caused by brain damage that affects body movements, muscle coordination, and sometimes speech. CP is the most common motor disability diagnosed in early childhood. Over 18 million people worldwide, including over one million in the US, have cerebral palsy. Each person’s experience varies based on their type and physical impairments. Children and adults with cerebral palsy can live long, fulfilling lives. It’s crucial for them to advocate for themselves and be heard. Wear Green for CP! 💚 Sunday, March 1...
Read more

Navigating My Daily Life with Cerebral Palsy As An Adult

By -
Image
I am an adult and I am navigating my daily life with cerebral palsy. As you may have known my life story, I cannot speak or walk on my own because of my cerebral palsy. (If you missed my life story, you should read “ My Story: Living With Cerebral Palsy, Part I: Birth and Childhood ” blog post) Also, I cannot feed myself, dress myself, and drive whereas I can walk with assistance, stand independently, and transfer to any seating positions. I use my iPad to talk to you every day. I occasionally use an alphabetical chart to communicate. I also use a wheelchair. I use leg braces that enable me to move and coordinate my legs actively.  Those supports are always necessary to help me live a healthy and active life and maintain my independence.  I am very independent but I require 24/7 care that meets my personal and compassionate needs. I am right-handed. I can easily hold objects with one hand. I can use my fully functional body to perform physical activities such as exercising, po...
Read more