Dear Friends,
I am so glowing from a few wonderful days! Feeling restless for so long had gotten me a bit down, but also is something I am learning to work through. I am still able to enjoy myself even if my body isn’t able to stay calm for very long. That is a great realization for me!
One of the enjoyable events lately was Angie Kim’s book tour visit to La Jolla. I had met Angie when we were both on the author’s panel at Motormorphosis this summer. She was so kind and fun to chat with, and is a true ally to spellers. Her latest novel, Happiness Falls, is about a nonspeaker at the heart of a mystery. It is already super successful, and is changing how people view nonspeakers! She also teaches creative writing to spellers at Growing Kids Therapy Center in Virginia.
My admired peer, Otto Lana, was one of the spellers involved in helping Angie with her manuscript. He also helped organize this event in La Jolla, hosted by Warwick’s bookshop and La Jolla Riford Library with Autism Tree. It was awesome to have several spellers and their families and supports in the audience, as well as many who attended without knowing about spelling or nonspeakers. I was so glad my body cooperated and I could sit and watch the whole thing. Otto was amazing as a panelist, and Angie was so fascinating to listen to. My mom and Tara were with me, and I was so glad to be enjoying this event with them.
Angie is a great example of how to be an ally. She was careful to research and ask actual nonspeakers about their perspectives and experiences. She showcases how a family evolves in how they see and treat their disabled loved one. She is careful to specify to readers that this is fictional, and that real methods and people like in the book exist and need to be properly understood. And she shares her platform and privilege, teaching people about nonspeakers and sharing expertise with nonspeaking students. See an example at the link here!
Also, she is an immigrant from East Asia, like me. I appreciated attending an event featuring an Asian-American author and her book about a biracial family. And it was just fun to be there with several friends!
I treasure my sign copy of Happiness Falls! I can’t wait to read it! Are you going to check it out?
Your Friend,
Danny
Danny With Words 