August 2026
SHE'S ROCKING IT IN VERO BEACH, FLORIDA!
One Woman's Passion for Fitness Leads to Helping People with Special Needs Find Joy in Movement and a Sense of Belonging
Laura Radocaj
Founder of Sunday Strong Photo Courtesy: Laura Radocaj About Laura:
Laura Radocaj is the founder and president of Sunday Strong, a nonprofit that increases physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities. She is also the owner of Radocaj Creative, where she has spent more than 18 years helping businesses, nonprofits, and thought leaders gain media exposure through strategic public relations. A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Laura graduated from Villanova University with degrees in communication and sociology. She is a proud mom of four.
About Sunday Strong
Sunday Strong is a Vero Beach, Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities through inclusive group fitness classes. By partnering with local fitness facilities, Sunday Strong removes barriers to exercise while creating opportunities for athletes to build confidence, improve their health, form meaningful friendships, and become active members of their community. Movement is its mission.
Slideshow Courtesy: Sunday Strong
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What’s the meaning behind the organization’s name, Sunday Strong?
I've been a self-proclaimed fitness junkie my whole life. If it involved moving, I wanted to do it. I wanted my kids to love being active, too, so I started a CrossFit Kids class at our local gym. I had always tried to bring my sister, Maria, who has special needs, to group fitness classes with me, but they just weren't designed for her. She deserved a better experience. So, I started a one-hour functional fitness class held on Sundays at Vero Strength + Conditioning when the gym was closed. At the end of every class, we'd put our hands in the middle and yell, "Sunday Strong!" That one Sunday class slowly grew into six classes a week and a nonprofit now serving more than 70 adult athletes with intellectual disabilities. But the name we shouted in that very first huddle stuck. Every time I hear "Sunday Strong," I'm reminded of those first three athletes who showed up that day. Movement has the power to change lives.
How have your classes developed since the organization’s launch in 2017?
What started as one Sunday class with just three athletes has grown into six classes each week at six different fitness facilities, with more than 70 athletes on our membership roster. Our athletes don't just work out — they become part of the community. Every week, they walk into local gyms, greet familiar faces, meet new people, and build friendships alongside members who are there pursuing their own health goals. That sense of belonging is just as important as the exercise itself. Today we offer ballet, functional fitness, ZUMBA, basketball, and boxing, and we're excited to expand into yoga, aquatics, hockey, and even more opportunities for our athletes to stay active. What are your feelings about the mind-body connection and how this is a catalyst to these athletes’ overall well-being? Our athletes are navigating new places, meeting new people, forming friendships, and expanding their social circles. That sense of belonging builds confidence, increases happiness, and reminds them they are valued members of our community. We intentionally create opportunities that go beyond our weekly classes. We host "pop-up" events, like our annual basketball clinic with the Vero Beach High School boys’ basketball team. We've partnered with the Indian River Sheriff's Office to teach self-defense classes. And one of the best examples was our recent iCan Shine Bike Camp, where 24 athletes learned to ride a two-wheel bike. It took more than 50 volunteers because every rider had two spotters. The volunteers celebrated every small victory and left with a completely different perspective about people with intellectual disabilities. That week reminded me that Sunday Strong doesn't just change the lives of our athletes — it changes everyone lucky enough to be part of it. What memory over the years has really stuck with you as you've watched these athletes improve their physical fitness through the classes your organization provides?
I'll never forget one athlete who couldn't get herself down to the floor and back up again. That's a lifesaving skill if you fall. Today, I'm proud to say she can do a burpee. It's not just about fitness, it's about independence. Another favorite memory was watching our ballet students perform in their year-end recital. When they were getting ready backstage, they were laughing together and feeling like Hollywood celebrities. They weren't thinking about their disabilities, they were dancers! Sunday Strong certainly helps people become physically stronger, but the confidence, friendships, joy, and sense of belonging our athletes gain along the way is the real transformation. |
ASK THE AUTHOR
Author Urges Women with Chronic Illness to Advocate for Themselves
Kenitra W. Dominguez
Photo Courtesy: Kenitra W. Dominguez About Kenitra:
Kenitra W. Dominguez is the founder of Bay Equity HR, a consulting practice that helps purpose-driven organizations and social impact businesses build equitable, people-centered workplaces. She advises nonprofits and start-ups on leadership transitions, culture strategy, and fair compensation, always centering rights, dignity, respect, and equitable pay. She serves on the Advisory Board of the California Black Women’s Health Project and previously served on the board and executive committee of Workplace Fairness. Her work bridges values-driven leadership, equity-focused systems, and care-based workplace cultures, with a special focus on supporting Black women navigating work and wellness.
What is IIH?
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), formerly known as pseudotumor cerebri, is increased pressure around your brain. It occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that cushions your spinal cord and brain, builds up in your skull. Pressure builds up in your brain and on your optic nerve, the nerve at the back of your eye that helps you see. IIH is rare. It affects an estimated .2 to 2 people (between ages 25 and 36) out of 100,000. (ClevlandClinic.org)
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Any advice on how to prepare for a medical appointment to decrease chances of being blindsided?
Call or email ahead to ask what you’ll cover, how long it will take, and whether you need to prepare anything. Then build an outline: general updates, symptoms, medication, questions. Most doctors think in a linear way, so this hands them the information in a format they can use. At the start, say: ‘I have a few things I want to go over, and I’ve organized them to make the most of our time. I’ll be taking notes, if that’s okay.’ Put your biggest question first and decide what you need most from the visit. Bring your medication list with doses and copies of test results. Don’t assume another provider’s fax arrived. I once sent one five times and heard ‘we haven’t received it’ every time. Bring someone with you. After my lumbar puncture, I became lightheaded and went limp. I would have fallen off the table if my husband had not been there to catch me. (I keep a free self-advocacy checklist with a printable appointment sheet offered when you sign up for my newsletter.) Any tips for those who have also experienced a dismissive attitude from staff at a medical facility? In the emergency room, the neurologist on duty decided my MRI did not need contrast dye. The ophthalmologist had ordered it. I insisted they call her, and she confirmed what I had said. I went through that scan three times before they got it right. [I’ve found that] people make assumptions about a Black woman in an ER. I was never given a patient bill of rights or pointed toward an advocate. Get people to look you in the eye. Staff move fast, almost like they’re flipping restaurant tables; it is much harder to dismiss someone whose face you are looking at. [Be straightforward.] I’m not done. I have two more questions. These symptoms are not normal for me, and I need us to keep looking. Please note in my chart that I reported this symptom. I got a few flyers about IIH that barely hinted at how complicated it is. Ask your hospital for its patient rights policy and whether it has a patient advocate. Check your benefits because many plans include patient advocates or resource navigators that people never use. The Patient Advocate Foundation offers case management, and DollarFor helps patients access hospital charity care. And leave reviews, the honest ones and the good ones. That is how the next person knows what she is walking into. After your experience, what is the best lesson you learned that has changed the way you handle medical issues? Be your own advocate. I had every advantage, and none of it changed how I was treated. I want to be honest about the cost, though. Persistence works, but when you are sick you may not have the energy to push through pain just to be heard. Support and rest matter as much as speaking up, and there is no failure in needing both. Some of that support belongs at work. Many chronic conditions qualify for accommodations, and you don’t have to hand over your diagnosis to ask for one. Today my IIH is in remission, and I still see my neuro-ophthalmologist, a nutritionist, and a counselor because the work does not stop when you start feeling better. You walk into a doctor’s office as one person and you walk out as someone else. What you do next belongs to you. This is why I wrote the book. |
EVENT HOP
Veterans Build a Bridge for Communication About their Experiences through Art
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Video Credit: Myrna Haskell
NOTE: This exhibition closed on July 31. For those who would like to submit work, volunteer, or contribute to this annual exhibition, send an EMAIL to the event organizers with your questions.
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"On July 16, "I attended the reception of Journeys Onward: Military Veterans’ Experiences" at the Salmagundi Club in Manhattan. This is the first time I’ve seen this annual exhibition series, and it was quite a treat! The artworks were captivating — introspective on many levels, drawing viewers into conversation.
The exhibition also included highly expressive poetry readings by New York City-area veterans from Poetic Theater Productions and beautifully choreographed and performed dance pieces by Exit12 Dance Company, which is committed to healing the veteran and military-connected community. I spoke with Paul Murray, co-curator and fine arts photographer — a ‘visual traveler’ whose works inspire others to be intrigued by his experiences. He has been curating ‘Journeys Onward’ since 2016. I asked him about the inspiration behind the show and how it has developed over the years. 'In the beginning I started looking at sites that showed veterans’ works,' he shared. 'It certainly has grown from there, through word of mouth and networking.' Paul said that the Salmagundi Club started hosting the exhibition in 2020, and that the current show displayed over 100 works. Accompanying the works were descriptions by the artists about their experiences. 'The works must be of excellent quality.' He also explained that many vets can only express their feelings through their art, which offers a pathway for veterans to speak their truths to others about their personal stories, fostering communication and understanding. I also had the opportunity to speak with two very talented and gracious artists, Laura Moorehead, a retired U.S. Navy officer, and Beth Johnston, the daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran. Learn more from Myrna’s Musings." ~ Myrna Beth Haskell, Executive Editor, Reports
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More About "Journeys Onward":
As part of the Salmagundi Club’s on-going dialogue with the military community, Journeys Onward is a powerful and inspiring exhibition that showcases the art and accompanying words of military veterans or their family members, shedding light on their unique experiences. Their impact and intensity may be hard to grasp for those outside the military community. Art is a powerful tool that transcends barriers and fosters communication with people from all walks of life. In this way, the exhibition seeks to be a catalyst for conversations between and within the military and civilian communities.
This year's exhibition, curated by Omar Columbus, a U.S. Air Force veteran and fine artist, and Paul M. Murray, an award-winning photographer and son of two WWII veterans, includes over 100 works from more than 35 veteran artists. And since 2016, the Journeys Onward veteran art exhibition series has created more than 15 opportunities for over 250 veteran artists to display over 1,000 works in exhibits in New York City, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. Check out Myrna's Musings for more about the artists Myrna spoke with at the show:
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OUT & ABOUT
Viking Cuisine Arrives in Kingston, New York
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Slideshow Photos: Sandra Bertrand (unless otherwise noted)
LOCATION:
63 North Front St Kingston, New York HOURS: Wednesday through Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m; 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday |
"When I put my culinary palate to the test, there’s no better place to start than historic Uptown Kingston. Spanish, Cajun, French, Greek, Italian, and Chinese are all waiting for this hungry diner, and now Scandinavian. I can even toast to Kingston Nord’s recent opening with a sparkling glass of Vikings Blod mead!
I must confess I had an ulterior motive. My artist friend Reidunn Fraas is a Norwegian-born Kingston resident, and her paintings are handsomely installed on the walls of the main dining room. Besides Fraas’s lyrical canvases, Sam Crohn’s Tree of Life as well as whimsical animal art and trailing vines grace the hallway and wall borders. And revolving art exhibits are planned. After admiring the roomy interior, we headed upstairs to the open-air rooftop patio for eggs Benedict Nordic style. While waiting for the perfect Hollandaise sauce to emerge, we were treated to a sharing board of local cheeses. With ample time to comb the menu, I was struck by the variety of dishes. Swedish meatballs, for example, dribbling with lingonberry and mushroom gravy. On a previous visit, Reidunn sampled the Bergen Fish Soup, a creamy broth with local white fish, shrimp and dill and was hooked. For burger lovers, their 8-ounce version comes with a pretzel bun, house lingonaioli, gouda, house pickled cucumbers, braised red onions and tomato.
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SNEAK PEEK RECOMMENDATION
For Lovers of Picasso and Tapestry
Jacqueline de la Baume Dürrbach, "The Joy of Life" (after Pablo Picasso)
Wool Tapestry, Woven 1971 © 2026 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York |
"Woven Wonders: Kykuit's Picasso Tapestries"
"Sanctuary is always on the lookout to share interesting exhibits, eateries, and events with our readers. I have always admired Picasso's work and have been to the Picasso Museum Barcelona. So, when it came to my attention that an exhibit of tapestries celebrating his work had opened, I was anxious to see what it was about.
Woven Wonders: Kykuit’s Picasso Tapestries showcases eight monumental tapestries based on Pablo Picasso's bold paintings and handwoven with his approval by Jacqueline de la Baume Dürrbach (1920-1989) between 1955 and 1975. Jacqueline de la Baume Dürrbach was a French textile artist trained in low-warp tapestry weaving with a former Aubusson master weaver in Paris. Jacqueline consulted with Picasso, weaving the silk and wool tapestries entirely by hand. Although I have not yet seen the exhibition in person, I am pleased there is still time. This exhibition can be viewed in person through March 20, 2027." ~ Myrna Beth Haskell, Executive Editor, Reports
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About The Pocantico Center:
Once home to the Rockefeller family, The Pocantico Center’s lush campus is located in the Hudson Valley region of New York. A thoughtfully designed and curated retreat just 20 miles north of Manhattan, Pocantico offers guests an immersive experience of unrivaled beauty, with breathtaking gardens and grounds, historic architecture, and a renowned art collection in which to find inspiration and respite. The Pocantico Center has a robust slate of programming — including artist residencies, performances, exhibitions, and community, educational programs.
"Woven Wonders" is organized by The Pocantico Center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. It is curated by Katrina London, curator, with support from Elizabeth Marriott, collections and curatorial projects assistant at Pocantico. Exhibition Details:
On view through March 20, 2027 Gallery Hours: Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free guided exhibition tours at 2:00 p.m. on: June 6, July 11, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5, January 2, February 6, and March 6 |
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ANNUAL COMMUNITY PROJECT
This is our 2026 Community Project. 
Our 2026 Community Project: We are looking for photos depicting your "sanctuary."
Click the image for instructions. |
READER RAMBLE
Shoutout a great bike trail in your area that boasts views and/or other inspirations. 
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Inspirations, Recommendations, and Personal Tidbits from Our Team
News and Educational Tidbits From Our Sponsors
Themes this month: "Discovery" ~ "Adventure"
