About I'll Do It Myself!
I've had a dream since I was about ten and 2006 is the year it is going to become reality! I just know it!
My dream is to write a book about my life — I'll Do It Myself. Egotistical? Perhaps. I see it more as part of my legacy, as my way of passing on the lessons I’ve learned in hopes of making someone else’s life easier.
First, and foremost, I am writing this book for youth and young adults with cerebral palsy to motivate, to inspire and to share how I have navigated life. Sometimes simply reading how someone else handled a particular situation gives the reader the encouragement and ideas for handling a similar situation.
Secondly, I am also writing this for parents, who, after having their bundle of joy gently placed in their awaiting arms, are given the devastating news their baby has cerebral palsy. In an instant, their hopes and dreams for their child, as well as for their family, are smashed. I am hoping this book will offer a glimmer of hope for these parents, as well as for the siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I want to show that life can still be meaningful, despite cerebral palsy. I hope the book offers parents ideas when raising a child with cp; however, realizing that no two children with cp are the same, there is no guarantee these ideas will be appropriate for every child.
I am also hoping that Human Resources managers, who want to hire employees with disabilities but still have the heebee-geebees simply because they don’t really know anyone with a disability, will experience an increased comfort level being around people with physical disabilities.
Lastly, I’m hoping the book will help doctors see beyond the disability and the can’ts, and see the patient as a person filled with capabilities, potential and desires. However, that may be expecting far too much from only one book!
Last October I publicly committed myself to launching the book on my 40th birthday - November 4, 2006! I figure that will be a great way to celebrate the big four-o!
I have written slightly more than one hundred pages and am still writing! I have pretty much decided to go the self-publishing route. Apparently going with a traditional publisher can take years. Who has that kind of time? Not I!.
Meanwhile, feel free to sign up for updates on the book or read my blog as I journey from dream to reality with this autobiography, and, hopefully, beyond. Please help me to spread the word about I'll Do It Myself by telling your friends.
Be sure to bookmark this site and visit often as this site will be evolving. The next planned addition will be a photo gallery of my life.
Thanks for stopping by!
