By Heather Honaker “I always knew that I was different from other kids,” says Anna Caroline Strickland. “[My mom] likes to tell this story when one day in kindergarten I got in the car from school, and I was like ‘Mom am I handicapped or something?’ because a little girl had said that to me…
Tag: extraordinary
Extraordinary: An Ordinary Day in the Special Life of Jacqueline Bettis
By Heather Honaker Jacqueline Bettis, born with cerebral palsy, says, “I’ve always known I stand out. But my parents taught me that regardless of my disability, I’m still a person and I’m still beautiful and I have nothing to be ashamed of.” Originally from Little Rock, she graduated from Hall High School, has an undergraduate…
Extraordinary: A typical day in the special life of Shayne Sheets
Special education teacher Shayne Sheets draws from her own experiences to create success in the classroom.
Extraordinary Estie: An Ordinary Day in a Special Life
Estie Johnson says these words, and also lives by them: Be your best self and live your life to the fullest because you never know what you could achieve. The sky is the limit! A recent high school graduate, Johnson worked as an advocate for people with disabilities before the pandemic. “I have a muscle disease…
Extraordinary: A Typical Day in the Special Life of Kylie Purifoy
Outgoing and active Kylie Purifoy is always on the move. From working in the theater department at a local high school to volunteering with the dance and drama teams, she is no stranger to the spotlight. I met Kylie and her brother and talked to him about their relationship for the November issue of Little Rock…
Extraordinary: A Typical Day in the Special Life of Michael Joe Lanari
Eighteen-year-old Michael Joe is a self-taught drummer who plans to study music in college. Before COVID-19, Michael Joe was a DJ at a central Arkansas pizza restaurant. “We were at lunch one day and the owner came over to the table and he and Michael Joe just hit it off and were talking and he…
Extraordinary: A Typical Day in the Special Life of Brandon Freville
Tell me a little about yourself.I’m 28 years old and have right side cerebral palsy. I am able to drive. I have a truck that has been modified with a left side gas pedal and a steering knob. After I graduated from ACCESS, I studied and earned my GED. Where do you work? Are you…
Extraordinary: A Typical Day in a Special Life of Lila Morrow
Young artisan Lila used one of her favorite therapy projects to begin her first business before most kids even think about starting elementary school. Introduce us to Lila.Lila is a vibrant and active 7-year-old girl who has Down syndrome. The moment she was born, our lives changed forever. We knew Lila would have Down syndrome…
Extraordinary: Big News
I had never really spent any significant time with anyone who had special needs before my daughter Ellie was born. We were told about her Down syndrome diagnosis while I was pregnant and I spent a lot of that time hoping, wishing and praying that I could change her. I read books and blogs and…
