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Leia's Letter

Welcome to the winter issue of My Life magazine!

Although it's cold outside, I hope our collection of articles will warm your spirits and inspire you during these short winter days.

Our cover story celebrates the passion and determination of local entrepreneurs pursuing their dreams. Aaron, Maggie, Jakob, and Morgan are creating and selling art, sweet treats, and stylish accessories. Their stories are a testament to what is possible when we pursue our passions.

Maybe you're not ready to start a business, but you have been thinking about working. If so, check out our story about job coaches. A job coach can support people with disabilities and share strategies for employment success. This can make it easier for you to land a job you love.

Outside of work or school, many of our readers are avid gamers. James Harley explores adaptive games in his feature article. You'll learn more about new and inclusive options that ensure everyone can play video games.

The season's shorter days can also bring on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is more than just "winter blues." HCDDS Psychologist Dr. Lauren Jones explains the symptoms, as well as effective strategies for understanding this condition and prioritizing your mental health.

In addition to our mental health, our physical health is important, too. Local fitness instructor Anna Hall dives into the benefits of exercise and shares simple ideas to start an exercise routine.

Lastly, I'm excited to share our 5 Questions interview with Kim Hauck, the Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. She shares her personal reasons for getting into this field, her goals for the future, and more.

I hope you're looking forward to this new year as much as I am—happy reading!

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