Statement
I am a writer with Cerebral Palsy living in Bemidji, Minnesota. My goal is
to share my writing and life experiences with a wider audience.
Education
I went to school in Roseau, Minnesota, graduating in 1981. I have been
going to adult education to improve my skills in math, reading and computer
writing.
Experience
I have worked in the Occupational Development Center in Bemidji and I have
worked at Goodwill Industries in St. Paul. I have done assembly line work,
janitorial and inventory work. I've worked at "Apartment 3" through
Occupation Development Center and done a lot of volunteer work. I also
volunteered in Roseau, MN at the home where I lived. I helped
clean and I scrubbed floors. I've done volunteer work for the nursing home
in Bemidji and visited people in the home.
About
me and my writing
I have written five
books. The first book, I Proved Them Wrong, was the first section of my autobiography, about living
in a children's home in Roseau, Minnesota. I wrote about the struggle
that I went though and overcame in that period of my life. When I wrote my
first book, I was going to an adult learning center. One day, I was talking
to my teacher
and I told her I always wanted to write a book. So she told me that I could
do it as a class assignment. I Proved Them Wrong took me a most two years.
My second book, I Will Never Forget You, tells the story of a man who was born without any legs and
what he did with his life.
The third book, The Maple Lake Conspiracy, is a mystery about a state hospital
employee discovering administrative wrongdoing.
The fourth book, They Stood Up and Clapped When I Got
my Diploma, was the second
half of my life story and focuses on my move to Bemidji.
Soon after They Stood Up and Clapped I combined the two parts of my autobiography into The Man who
Wouldn't Give Up published
by the Pederson Book Company, Bemidji, MN.
Collectively my books have sold two thousand copies. I am
currently in the process of professionally editing The Man Who
Wouldn't Give Up in hopes
of finding a publisher who can help me get this story to a wider
audience.
Honors
Interests, Activities and Clubs
was a member of the Northwoods Jaycees and have served as treasurer. I've
also been a state delegate. I was president of the Beltrami County Sils
Recreation Club. I've won many awards. I've won an award from the Association
for Retarded Citizens and I've won the Congressional Award and a bronze medal
for an exercise program and volunteer work. I've won an award from Goodwill
for being a good worker and for being there every day. I've also gotten
an award at the ODC for perfect attendance.
