Children, like adults, like to see a similar life style
as their own in the books that they read.  Reading
a book about other children living with ataxia or
another illness similar to their own reafirms to
a child that they are not alone and someone else
is burden by the same or a similar disease.

I am in search of a children's book publisher
that recognizes how beneficial it will be to
children and for the children books genre to
welcome manuscripts for and about children
that have a chronic disability.

Several years ago when I was diagnosed with
spinocerebellar ataxia there were no books found
on coping or living with ataxia. After receiving
disappointing rejections from well known
publishing houses, I decided to write and self
publish my first book about coping with ataxia.

I exhibited the book, "A Balancing Act, Living
with Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia" at the National
Ataxia Foundation membership meeting
in Jackson, Mississippi. The meeting was
attended by people stricken with various types
of ataxia from all over the United States,
Europe and Australia. The book was received well.

I have self published five booklets on my experiences
with ataxia.

Several years later, while searching the children
book shelves of libraries and book stores, I was
quickly made aware and sadden to see so few
children books on and about disabilities.

Again, I wanted to help fill this void. Now,
I write children booklets about my experiences
with ataxia. The books are designed to promote
diversity by embracing it and accepting people
that are different.

"What's Up?" William Explains "Ataxia" to
His New Friends" is a book designed for ages
eight through adults. The booklet will be
published soon. It will also list key web
addresses for "anyone" that has a disability,
saving valuable time researching.

It is the author's opinion that the, "negative
views toward mentally and physically
challenged or people requiring special
needs  has to change and that change will
start at the grass root level: With our children.
This is the only way we can hope to improve
an atmosphere that will foster positive
interaction of future generations.
It is through the positive efforts of all people,
on a large scale, that we will change the negative
social views toward people that are different."
In each of my books one of the main characters
is a child who has ataxia.

I elected to highlight ataxia as the main
character's disability because that is the
physical disability with which I am most familiar.

I encourage all ages to read these
books. Key ataxia related Internet
web sites are available.      




"What's Up? William Explains Ataxia to His New Friends"  

$14.95 plus 7% tax included in
S/H of $3.50  

Item #: chat01

"What's Up? William Explains "Ataxia" to His New Friends" is a story about a boy with  special needs. Because he uses a wheelchair he is considered being diffferently. The main charater just
wants to be accepted.  This book is fictional and for ages eight and up.

"Why do you Walk Funny?"

$14.95 plus 7% tax included in S/H of $3.50

Item #: chat03

Why Do You Walk Funny?
This is a story about a young boy  with special
needs that causes him to walk differently.
While he is at school he is  teased by his
classmate. Consequently, the teacher sees
an opportunity to discuss diversity and
acceptance to the young boy. This book
is fictional and is for children ages 8 and up.