The Hill Premieres This Friday! Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

It is not uncommon for someone to give up their dream because of physical limitations that are deemed impossible to overcome. But that's not an option for Rickey Hill, who refuses to let his disability stop him from becoming a professional baseball player. The Hill retells Rickey's incredible story on the big screen and is set to hit the theaters this Friday, August 25, 2023.  Learn more about the film and enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card!

Synopsis:

Growing up impoverished in small-town Texas, young Rickey Hill shows an extraordinary ability for hitting a baseball, despite being burdened by leg braces from a degenerative spinal disease. His stern, pastor father (DENNIS QUAID) discourages Rickey from playing baseball to protect him from injury, and to have him follow in his footsteps and become a preacher. 

As a young man, Rickey (COLIN FORD) becomes a baseball phenomenon. His desire to participate in a try-out for a legendary major league scout divides the family and threatens Rickey’s dream of playing professional baseball. 

Based on a true story, THE HILL is directed by Jeff Celentano and also stars JOELLE CARTER, country music singer and songwriter RANDY HOUSER, Golden Globe nominee BONNIE BEDELIA, and SCOTT GLENN.

Honeycake: A Helping Hand Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway (10 Winners!)

Honeycake: A Helping Hand is the most recent addition to the award-winning Honeycake series written by Medea Kalantar. Learn about this new release and enter to win all six books in the series!

My Review:

Short and sweet, Honeycake: A Helping Hand tells an inspiring story that delivers important messages about diversity, kindness, leadership, charity work and a positive attitude toward life. Our protagonist Nala is a curious and compassionate eight year old living in a multicultural family that embraces diversity. The story follows her to a special fundraising party hosted by a 10-year-old girl named Alexis, who is also the founder of A Helping Hand, a charity dedicated to helping children with disabilities. After meeting Alexis and her friends, Nala is amazed by all the remarkable things they are capable of accomplishing despite their unthinkable physical challenges.

Through a delightful story, the book helps young readers learn about children born with a limb difference and how they can live normal and independent lives with the help of artificial body parts or wheelchairs. It further shows that these children are no less likely to become leaders or excel at what they love to do. As portrayed in the bright-colored pictures in the book, they shine with confidence, friendliness and positivity. Besides, the story encourages all kids to give back to their community by supporting the cause they feel passionate about, to express gratitude for someone's contribution, and to respect and appreciate people as who they are.

A Helping Hand is an uplifting and educational read perfect for Thanksgiving and Giving Tuesday. It certainly gets me interested in reading all the other books in the series.

About the Book:

Ages 4+ | 33 Pages
Publisher: Medea Kalantar | ISBN-13: 9781777289768

In the sixth installment of the delightful Honeycake book series, Nala’s uncles, Victor and George, take her to a fundraiser where she meets Alexis, a girl with an artificial arm. Through her interactions, Nala learns that you are never too young to lend “a helping hand,” that it’s okay to be different, and that being different doesn’t stop you from doing great things in life.

Purchase Links: Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble

NMEDA: An Invaluable Resource for Caregivers and Their Loved Ones

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you a caregiver for someone with a disability? If yes, then you should get to know The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA), where you can get tons of useful information about driving and equipment safety for disabled people. Even if the situation doesn't apply to you now, I think it wise to bookmark their website for future reference.

NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to broadening the opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment. They educate consumers on buying products from a NMEDA qualified dealer.

All NMEDA members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NMEDA dealers (members) are the ones who sell handicap vans and vehicle modifications for disabled people. All members work together to improve transportation options of people with disabilities.

NMEDA provides a step-by-step purchase guide on their website, along with advice for drivers/passengers who use a wheelchair or scooter, and their caregivers. Since no two people with a disability are exactly the same, they suggest having a personalized “in-person” evaluation to make sure you are getting the right driving solution customized to your specific lifestyle and needs. If you need additional training or product refinements, you can ask a NMEDA dealer near you for help.

NMEDA also has a Quality Assurance Program (QAP), the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. It is based on the principle that in order to satisfy customers consistently, companies must have a systematic and documented approach to quality. QAP dealers are held to the highest industry standards. When you buy from a QAP dealer, you can expect enhanced vehicle modification and adaptive equipment installation with the highest level of performance and safety.

You can easily find a qualified NMEDA dealer near you by using the dealers locator on nmeda.org. I'm happy to find out that there are five dealers in my vicinity, four of which are QAP dealers. Feel free to let me know if you have any problem locating one.