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.