Friday, June 27, 2014

Friends & Authors

For me, writing has often been a solitary activity.  I never thought of it as a career or even a hobby.  It was just something I have loved doing since my early teens.  Deep inside I felt that I would one day write a book about my life, not imagining that it would have much of a impact. Just that it woud be interesting.  In another part of the country, 10 years my junior, was another young girl having similar thoughts and probably similar experiences, though only one of us was disabled, so it would appear.  Who really knows?  Many years passed before our paths crossed and we began meeting for lunch and became friends.  While I was writing my memoir, It's  Easier To Dance, Amy Freeman, visited me weekly, asking questions like, "How did you do it?'  One day she looked into my eyes and asked, "Don't you ever get angry?"  "Oh, yes," I replied.  "I get very angry, but if I stay  angry, it would take all my energy so I  don't stay angry. I have learned to use that  energy more productively.

Not  knowing that she was already a writer, I encouraged Amy to write.  I could see the creativity in her eyes, recognizing that desire in my own heart.  We encouraged each other.  The photo is from her recent book launch party, celebrating the release of her book StressLess available on Amazon.

Our friendship has deepened over the last several months as I invited Amy a "privileged" view of what living with cerebral palsy can look like from the inside.
It is always a risk to drop our masks, more so for one disabled who must rely on the help of friends to live in the community.  There have been difficult moments but so much more respect and affection.  I recently told Amy that I once thought her life to be so much easier than mine.  However, appearances may be very deceiving.
 

1 comment :

  1. Annie, As you know, I believe that everyone has a story. Everyone. If we all were able to hear or truly understand the perspective of others, I believe the world would be a better place. Thanks for sharing yours. Amy Freeman

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