Book featuring children with disabilities- Local author publishes book on his work with youth with disabilities
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are almost seventy million people living with a disability in the United States—nearly 1 in 5 people. Because of that high number, one would think that many books would prominently feature people with disabilities in them.
Though individuals with disabilities constitute a large segment of our population, according to author Mike Kelly, there’s a lack of stories about them in the literary world.
“While there were books written by parents or teachers about how to raise or teach a child with autism, or children’s books featuring a single character with a disability, there were no books featuring many kids with all different kinds of disabilities. I was repeatedly told the same thing by people in the publishing industry: ‘We don’t publish books like that.’ My reply: ‘That’s a shame.’ So, I did it myself. Now there’s a book.”
Over the last fifteen years, Kelly has worked with hundreds of young adults with a wide range of disabilities. During that time he has served as an employment specialist, job coach, event organizer and promoter, fundraiser, grant writer, teacher, mentor, business owner, and award-winning transition educator.
His recently-published nonfiction book “SPECIAL STORIES: Short Stories On Youth With Disabilities And My Adventures Working In The Disabilities Field” is a heartfelt reflection of what he describes as his “life’s work.” These thought-provoking and heartwarming stories showcase the many abilities kids with disabilities have—regardless of their challenges— while also entertaining, educating, and dispelling societal stereotypes. The book also features accounts on Kelly working with famous professional athletes headlining fundraisers, ordinary folk generosity, celebrity greed, and social musings—all part of Kelly’s experiences in his line of work.
Before he became the director of a company that serves young adults with disabilities living throughout Bucks County, Mr. Kelly previously worked at a large nonprofit company where he won a coveted New Jersey Transition Educator of the Year award.
“I’ve come across some incredible young people with disabilities who have achieved measurable success in their lives, yet whose efforts went largely unnoticed. I wrote this book because I felt it was time for their untold stories to finally be shared to help inspire others to think outside the box and reach for the stars,” Kelly said. “The book also provides a blue print to help parents who are raising children with various challenges.”
When asked what types of disabilities his students have, Kelly responded, “ADD/ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, Intellectual Disabilities, Learning Disabilities, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Visual Impairment, Williams syndrome, to name just a few.”
Kelly hopes SPECIAL STORIES… becomes this generation’s Chicken Soup For The Soul. If not, he’ll remain satisfied. “I’m already doing my life’s work empowering young people. Any book sales would be considered icing on that cake.”
Special Stories… has already gained positive reviews from many notable sources, as well as from one NBA Hall of Fame legend. The book is available through online booksellers Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBooks, and KOBO. For information on the book, visit www.specialstoriesbook.com.
