The “Life Is Good” presentation at Living Innovations brought together an enthusiastic group of participants eager to explore what makes life meaningful and fulfilling. The program was led by Executive Director Tanja Blicker-Ucran and featured speakers Jeff Ovaginian and Christina Battista, who guided the discussion with warmth, humor and questions for everyone.
Referring to their PowerPoint presentation, the speakers began by reviewing the mission of the Rhode Island Cross Disability Coalition, before diving into the four key themes that shape a good life: Independence, Productivity, Self-Determination, and Inclusion.
Tanja opened with the topic of Independence, describing it as “being able to make decisions about what’s important to you.” Participants shared where they live, whether in apartments, condos, or shared living spaces across the state. The group discussed rights and responsibilities, the ability to take risks, and learning from mistakes as part of building a fulfilling life.
The conversation also turned practical, covering everything from making money and paying bills to finding affordable and accessible transportation. Stories about the joys (and frustrations) of car ownership and experiences using the RIDE program sparked lively exchanges and laughter.
When it comes to Productivity, Ellie summed it up as: “It means keeping busy.” Christina added that it also means “making money.” The discussion ranged from employment and volunteering to community service and self-employment opportunities. Participants shared experiences from programs like SBSShopRI and self-employment classes, reflecting their motivation to contribute and stay engaged.
Christina encouraged everyone to share what they do for work and what they enjoy in their free time. One participant loves taking apart and reassembling electronics, another dreams of joining a line dancing group, while another takes care of puppies. “Doing what’s important to you,” Christina reminded the group, “is what makes life good.”
There was plenty of laughter throughout the session as participants swapped stories about endless checklists, chores they’d rather skip, and the simple joys that make daily life rewarding.
By the end of the meeting, everyone agreed — living a good life is about finding balance between responsibility and joy, staying active in the community, and surrounding yourself with people who support your goals.
And as Tanja noted with a smile, “We were happy to see even more people show up than expected!”
