Book Blog
Welcome to This Life We Got
For the past nine years—ever since my daughter Sienna was born—I’ve been writing our story here.
What began as a blog has unfolded more like a book: chapters of family, advocacy, education, and inclusion, written with raw honesty and heart. This space is a peek behind the curtain of our lives, where vulnerability meets persistence, and where I hope you’ll find inspiration for whatever you need today. Readers often tell me it’s the honesty that keeps them coming back. I’m so glad you’re here. Use the search bar to dive into any topic that speaks to you—family, advocacy, education, or inclusion.
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This Is What Democracy Is Supposed to Look Like
By Shannon Striner Today, Haley stayed home from school because she’s sick. Last night, before bed, we had a different kind of history lesson. I turned on C-SPAN—yes, thrilling bedtime entertainment—and there was Senator Cory Booker, standing on the Senate…
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It Takes Courage to Dissent
The older I get, the more I realize just how rare that courage is. Courage isn’t loud opinions online. It’s not performative allyship or slapping an “inclusive” sticker on your bumper. It’s not saying the right thing in public while…
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Is Dissent Allowed?
The Atlantic is one of the most respected journalistic institutions out there. Dismissing it as fake news just because it challenges your narrative is absurd. The relentless cries of “media bias” and “free speech suppression” have become nothing more than…
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Not Your Prop: When Photo Ops Replace Policy
Let’s talk about the staged photo op that took place at The Office of Health and Human Services with RFK Jr. on World Down Syndrome Day. Ironically, it is the exact point I was making about sock photos in my…
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We Don’t Want Sock Pictures
In this post, I discuss the importance of action beyond socks.
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The United Discrimination in America
This post is about the discrimination people with disabilities face and how bigots in this country are now emboldened. It talks about how hard that is for parents in this community right now.
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Standing with Researchers
My Remarks at the Stand Up for Science Protest Rally
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Join our Advocacy Efforts!
Our children bring immense beauty and value to the world, yet they are too often underestimated and hindered by policies that fail to recognize their potential. Whether you have had to battle for your child’s right to a free and…
