I end up reviewing a lot of content. Part of that is the nature of my being so opinionated, and part of it when I get excited about things, I want to talk about it, and where better to talk about something that on my blog?!

I do use affiliate links – that means that if you buy something that I linked to, I’ll get some percentage of the sale from the retailer, but you don’t pay any more money (in fact, you usually get a discount). I hope it goes without saying that I would never put up a link to something I don’t personally use or like. But aside from Patreon, this is the only way I can generate income for all the work I do right now, so I REALLY REALLY appreciate you using those links. Thank you.

If you are interested in a particular review for a book, product, software, camera, clothing item, please email me your request.

If you are interested in writing a review for me (I’m most interested in people who can write a review on clothing or items related to disabilities other than my own), also email – a contact form is on the bottom of this page.

If you are interested in having something reviewed by me, that contact form on the bottom of the page is waiting for you, too!

 

best books featuring deaf and hard of hearing children, image of children of various races looking at book, they are smiling
Book Related | Deaf | Disability

Best Books Featuring Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

These are lists of children’s books for deaf and hard of hearing children, featuring deaf or hard of hearing children in the stories. Deaf or hard of hearing children are the main characters in the stories. Some of the books feature kids with cochlear implants, other with hearing aids. Amazon is linked for clarity –…

daisy woodworm changes the world
Book Related

Daisy Woodworm Changes the World: A Book Review

This is Micah Nichols’ inaugural blog post, an interview with author Melissa Hart on her book, “Daisy Wormwood Changes the World.” You can listen to this interview via the “Unpacking Disability with Meriah Nichols” podcast, below, or on Spotify or Apple iTunes. Melissa Hart wrote a book geared for teens: Because this book was geared…

pink background, image of a book with a woman and a daughter, text reads, "you are invited to a conversation between Meriah Nichols and authors George ostrich and Rachel Adams, Unepected, may 27 9hst/12 pst, 3est)
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Join Us: A Conversation with Authors of “Unexpected”

On Thursday May 27th, George Estreich and Rachel Adams will join Meriah in a LIVE Zoom/Facebook conversation about the book, “Unexpected.” Alison Piepmeier started the book and George and Rachel finished it after she passed on in 2016. Unexpected Unexpected is about parenting, prenatal testing, and Down syndrome. It is about our stories, choices and…

Run Movie Review: image of a woman seated in a wheelchair looking down at a woman sitting in front of her. the woman in front of her is touching her chin. Both are white, with brown hair. It appears that they are in a drugstore.
Movie Review | Movies | Reviews

A Movie Like Run: Riveting, Representing and Rupturing

This is a review of the movie, Run, starring Sarah Paulson and Kiera Allan, which is currently playing on Hulu. Spoilers are in this review! Run: A Movie with Some Pop Run is the first move in a long time to star an actual wheelchair user in a lead role, and that’s pretty exciting for…

Book Related | Lit League

Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club: Being Heumann, by Judy Heumann

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is about the Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club pick for March, and the schedule! And lastly! This post is available via PDF and MP3 (with me reading it) on my Patreon site (linked here). Alternatively, you can find it at the end of this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Judy Heumann is one of…

the pretty one by keah brown
Book Related | Lit League

“The Pretty One” by Keah Brown for February Read

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is a news post, announcing that the Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club has selected The Pretty One, by Keah Brown, as our February read.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Keah Brown went and wrote a book that screams, “READ MEEEEEEEE,” and so we shall! Details About “The Pretty One” “From the disability rights advocate and…

Activism Against Ableism: a short film with everything you need to know. [Image Description: white background with a navy blue square divided in two, with large text reading "Activism Against Ableism" - the text has been divided in two and the pieced back together, and the text is half in white and half in navy blue]
Activism | Movie Review | Movies

Activism Against Ableism: A Short Film on Everything You Need to Know

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is a short video explaining what ableism is, the basic pieces behind disability rights, and what having a disability is, what a disability is.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] What is Ableism? Ableism is  prejudice against people with disabilities. Ableism is real, and exists even among people with disabilities, as we can internalize the ableism that…

stumble to rise book review
Book Related | Book Review

Rae Reviews: Stumble to Rise: a Memoir on Living with Multiple Sclerosis

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round”]Rae reviews the book, Stumble to Rise, in this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Stumble to Rise is an autobiographical description of living a full life with multiple sclerosis (MS). Gina, the author, has a meaningful career, an active family and a stylish home. She describes both the medical and physical experience of MS (procedures, mobility issues) as…

Haben Girma: Haben Book Club December Pick
Book Related | Lit League

Haben: Read the Book in December & Talk with Author in January

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is a post about the Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club’s book pick for December.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/rm38HHzsz9c” align=”center” title=”Decembe Pick: Haben”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Lit League Disability Book and Movie Club has picked Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law for our December book! I reached out to the author, Haben Girma, and…

Zoom Chat with Jennifer Johannesen
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Our Inaugural Zoom Chat with Author Jennifer Johannesen!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is a video post with the first Book Club Chat, ever.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Lit League Disability Book & Movie Club picked No Ordinary Boy by Jennifer Johannesen for our October read. We tried out a Zoom meeting for the first time to chat with Jennifer about the book. This was my first Zoom…

apple watch and disability: reviews from disabled watch users, opinions, projections and tables explaining the differences between the apple watch series
Reviews

Apple Watch & Disability: Accessibility Reviews from Users with Disabilities

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise”]This is about the Apple Watch and Disability. There are accessibility reviews and opinions by users with disabilities. You will also find a table that compares the Apple Watch Series 5 with the Series 3. There are affiliate links in this post, which means that if you buy something using a link…

book club pick for october: no ordinary boy. image description: a black background with grey text reading: book club: no ordinary boy by jennifer johannesen
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Book Club Pick for October: No Ordinary Boy

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The book club is back, and we’re set to read  No Ordinary Boy, by Jennifer Johannesen and discuss it in two ways: Through Zoom (video conferencing, free) on October 20th at 2pm Eastern WITH THE AUTHOR – meeting information and invitation at the end of this post) Through Facebook Group chat on October 23 at…

say something by peter. h. reynolds
Book Related | Book Review

Book Review of Say Something, by Peter H. Reynolds

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round”]This is a book review of Say Something, by Peter H. Reynolds. This is a children’s book. There are affiliate links in this post (read more about my disclosure policy here)[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I am always looking for quality books for my children to engage with. In these troubled times, I also look for quality books…

No Ordinary Boy: the story of an extraordinary family
Book Related | Book Review | Parenting

Book Review: “No Ordinary Boy” by Jennifer Johannesen

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”turquoise” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-heart”]I am re-publishing this review of No Ordinary boy because it is Owen’s birthday. He would be 21 if he were alive today. In commemorating her son, Jennifer is offering No Ordinary Boy free as a PDF. It is linked at the end of this post.[/vc_message][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] No Ordinary Boy No…

you'll miss me when I'm gone book: image of a blue background, text reading "You'll Miss me When I'm Gone" and a reflection of a person in a puddle of water behind the text
Book Related | Book Review

Rae Reviews: You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, by Rachel Lynn Solomon

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”orange” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book”]Rae Hower reviews the book, You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, in this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone, by Rachel Lynn Solomon You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone is about twin sisters whose mother has Huntington’s disease. It takes place during their senior year of high school. The…

great children's books about down syndrome
Book Related | Down syndrome

9 Great Children’s Books About Down Syndrome

This is a post about great children’s books about Down syndrome. The book headings are Amazon affiliate links, which means if you buy something that I link, you pay no more than you usually would but Jeff Bezos gets a little less. Children’s Books About Down Syndrome Stories are a wonderful way to explain Down…

rare is everywhere book: image of many animals in mixed media (combination of photo and painting): a panda, polar bear, white tiger, black panther
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Rae Reviews: Rare is Everywhere, by Deborah Katz

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”orange” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book”]Rae Hower reviews the book, Rare is Everywhere, in this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Rare is Everywhere Rare is Everywhere is a children’s book about unusual animals like blue lobsters, spotless cheetahs and white tigers. The point, according to the book jacket, is to teach children “about diversity and how our differences make…

great books about rare diseases and disorders: image of alternating squares. some square of solid color background with the title of the post interspersed; other squares have images from the cover of the books on them)
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Rae Reviews: Great Books About Rare Diseases and Disorders

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”3d” style=”round” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-exclamation”]This fantastic list of books about rare diseases and disorders that you might be interested in reading was pulled together by Rae Hower. Rae is joining me to coordinate the Disability Book & Movie Club. Get to know her through her bio at the end of this post, and please enjoy this…

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury through Best Books on Traumatic Brain Injury
Book Related | Resources | Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The Best Books on Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury

Here are some of the best books on understanding traumatic brain injury, traumatic brain injury symptoms, traumatic brain injury recovery, and just overall traumatic brain injury awareness. They are written from my perspective as being a person who lives with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Most of these books are linked to Amazon, which means if…

my law of attraction project planner review
Reviews

My Law of Attraction Project Planner: Review

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round”]This is a post about My Law of Attraction Project Planner. It is not a sponsored post; I purchased this planner myself and am currently using it.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I love the concepts of the Law of Attraction (read Ask and it is Given for the big scoop). In a nutshell, the Law of Attraction is…

the phoenix planner phoenix journal
Reviews

A Review of the Phoenix Journal, a Planner for Personal Transformation

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round”]This is a post about The Phoenix Journal – the Daily Calendar & Agenda to Achieve Goals, Boost Happiness & Productivity – Gratitude Journal, Habit Tracker, Roadmap .  It is not a sponsored post; I purchased this planner myself and am currently using it.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][vc_column_text] The Phoenix Journal 12 Week Planner I was originally completely…

the best straw alternatives for replacing your plastic straws
Reviews

7 of the Best Plastic Straw Alternatives for Replacing Plastic Straws

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”orange”]This is a post about the best plastic straw alternatives. There are affiliate links in this post. Read more in my disclosure.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Replacing Plastic Straws: The Best Plastic Straw Alternatives 2018 was full of debate about plastic straws and what they mean for us in the disability community (read this one by…

erin condren planner for bloggers
Reviews | WordPress Site Development

The Best Planner for a Blogger

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message style=”round” message_box_color=”orange”]This is a review post of Erin Condren Teacher’s Deluxe Planner, used for blogging purposes. I was given the planner to review, but all opinions are my own. There are affiliate links in this post.[/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDYSUyMHRhcmdldCUzRCUyMl9ibGFuayUyMiUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnNoYXJlYXNhbGUuY29tJTJGci5jZm0lM0ZiJTNEMTIwNDM5MCUyNmFtcCUzQnUlM0Q1NjA3NDglMjZhbXAlM0JtJTNENzEzNjglMjZhbXAlM0J1cmxsaW5rJTNEJTI2YW1wJTNCYWZmdHJhY2slM0QlMjIlM0UlM0NpbWclMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnN0YXRpYy5zaGFyZWFzYWxlLmNvbSUyRmltYWdlJTJGNzEzNjglMkZETVBfbm93X3dpdGhfdGFiczEuanBnJTIyJTIwYm9yZGVyJTNEJTIyMCUyMiUyMCUyRiUzRSUzQyUyRmElM0U=[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a mom, a blogger and as a person with traumatic brain injury (TBI), I am constantly looking out…

El Deafo Summary and El Deafo Review
Book Related | Lit League

El Deafo Summary, Review and Discussion Questions by a Deaf Lady

El Deafo Summary El Deafo  is a graphic novel about a young deaf girl. It centers around her deafness and feelings about deafness (and her ginormous hearing aid), with the stories of her friendships, family and school illustrating her points. Now, as a deaf woman, I’ve been recommended El Deafo so much so that a blog…

the shape of water and disability deaf expression and culture
Movie Review

You Know Why “The Shape of Water” is Compelling, Don’t You?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round”]I am a member of Netflix #DVDNation. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are of course, my own. #ad [/vc_message][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]14 years ago, I lined up my first movie from Netflix. It was  one of my all-time favorite movies. As a kid who grew up on the outside of things, and with scars splayed…

the ultimate guide to the best deaf apps: image description: smiling asian woman says hi into phone she is holding up
Deaf | Reviews | Technology

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Deaf Apps

This is a post about the best deaf apps. That is, the most useful, popular and widely-used apps by d/Deaf people. This post is US-focused, and covers only iPhone apps. Best Communication Apps Glide:  for texting and talking. P3 Mobile: for texting, talking and relay services. Includes ASL and clear-speech relays. Google Voice: for transcribing…

Target Adaptive Clothing Line – How Is It for People with Down Syndrome?
General Posts about Down syndrome | Reviews

Target Adaptive Clothing Line – How Is It for People with Down Syndrome?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_style=”outline” style=”round” message_box_color=”success” icon_type=”monosocial” icon_monosocial=”vc-mono vc-mono-star”] This post is about Target adaptive clothing line There are affiliate links in this post, which means that if you buy something using a link from this post, this site will get a small percentage from Target. You won’t pay any more money than if you had used…

good kings bad kings book review
Book Related | Lit League

Book Review of Good Kings Bad Kings, by Susan Nussbaum

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Summary of the Story  story is about teenagers with disabilities who live in an institution in Chicago, and the people who work there. It’s told in person-first accounts. It follows the lives of the residents and workers for the period of about a year, with backstory. What Was Great Good Kings Bad Kings was…

My Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love, and Down Syndrome; Reviewed by Cathleen Small
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My Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love, and Down Syndrome; Reviewed by Cathleen Small

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Recently, I had the chance to read  by Amy Silverman. If you have a child with Down syndrome, you soon realize that there are a lot of mommy blogs about Down syndrome—some of them good and some of them maybe not to your taste—and some of those blogs have spun into books. Many of them…

best stroller for a kid with a disability
Down syndrome | Review/Giveaway | Reviews

The Best Stroller for a Child with a Disability

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1509370369735{background-color: #75cdde !important;}”]This post on the best stroller for a child with Down syndrome is NOT sponsored but there are affiliate links in it. I’m not writing this post as an ad; I’m writing it because I really do want newer parents to know this is the best rugged, long-term, high-weight-capacity stroller out there.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] The…

supporting positive behavior in children and teens with down syndrome
Book Related | Down syndrome

Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_message message_box_color=”orange” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book”]This post is a review of the book, Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome.[/vc_message][vc_column_text] Supporting Positive Behavior in Children and Teens with Down Syndrome I’m going to cut the chase: I love this book. In fact, I think this is a “must-own” for the parent of a child…

“Not Always Happy” Book Review & Giveaway
Book Related | Book Review

“Not Always Happy” Book Review & Giveaway

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of the more rampant stereotypes about people with Down syndrome is that they are always happy. Don’t ask why that sticks in the face of a screaming child with Down syndrome – even when someone actually sees my child in a rage, they have been known to comment (with a chuckle) about how “those”…

Book Related | Book Review | Down syndrome

Behavioral Issues and Down syndrome

Behavioral Issues and Down syndrome Moxie, my daughter who has Down syndrome, has recently had behavioral issues at school. A bit of background: Moxie goes to The Best School Ever. She has a wonderful, caring teacher and Moxie’s aide is a lovely woman whom Moxie has known and trusted for years now – ever since…

Book Related | Book Review | Down syndrome

Up Syndrome by Megan Abner, a Woman with Down syndrome

I’ve written a bit about how I’d love to have more adults with Down syndrome speaking and writing of their life experience, views on therapy and disability – much like the Autistics do within the Autism Community. I mean, we can sit around and talk about Down syndrome all day long but we’ll never know…

Signing Time!
Reviews

Signing Time!

There is a large sign-language training program in Tucson, Arizona. I know this because in the year that I lived in that town, people would practically pee in their pants when they saw my ginormous hearing aids. They'd start to sign furiously. They refused to talk to me unless I was looking directly at them….

5 Books That are Better than "Bloom" for New Parents of a Child with Down syndrome
Book Related | Down syndrome

5 Books That are Better than "Bloom" for New Parents of a Child with Down syndrome

You know it and I know it: Kelle Hampton is hugely popular. She writes marvelous fluff on her blog, Enjoying the Small Things. I think she is an adroit blogger, able to weave remarkable bits of fippery in and around drop-dead awesome photos. The result? A top-notch blog.   A top-notch and popular blogger does…

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Interview with Jennifer Johnnesen, Author of "No Ordinary Boy" and "Fake Work" + Book Giveaway

Jennifer Johannesen is the the author of the article, "Fake Work" which was re-posted on this blog last week, stimulating much conversation within the Down syndrome community. She is also the author of No Ordinary Boy, the candid and deeply beautiful story of her son's life. I posted my review of No Ordinary Boy here…

Deaf | Reviews

Review of Signing Time On Demand

Signing Time has a brand-spanking new feature: Signing Time on Demand. Yes, I am happy about this, and I'll be even happier about it when we leave the US and are entirely dependent on this kind of internet-based feature.   They are promoting Signing Time On Demand by hosting an iPad giveaway with downloads –…