New memoir from Arlene Sollis offers glimpse at life with cerebral palsy
SPRING HILL, Fla. (PRWEB) December 11, 2014 -- When author Arlene Sollis was born in 1935, the doctor advised her parents not to take her home. Sollis had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and her doctor thought it best if she were institutionalized.
With courage, determination and passion, Sollis fought against her disability and lived her life on her own terms. Her new memoir, “I Came—I Stayed: The True Story of My Life with Cerebral Palsy” (published by iUniverse), documents her moving journey from those difficult childhood years to her rewarding career as a special education teacher.
As Sollis grew out of her crib, it became obvious to her mother that the doctor was very wrong. Sollis was a bright child who refused to let adversity stop her. She worked hard to graduate from college and become a special education teacher where she could inspire others to achieve their dreams.
Heartfelt and moving, “I Came—I Stayed” recalls some of Sollis’ most poignant moments as a teacher and disabilities activist in her community. She recounts her work and awards as an advocate as well as the striking moment when she met John F. Kennedy, a senator at the time of their meeting.
“I knew I had an unusual and inspiring story to tell other disabled people, parents of disabled children, educators and caregivers through my example,” Sollis writes. “I wanted to tell them that just because one has a disability that does not mean that they cannot function in our society.”
“I Came—I Stayed”
By Arlene Sollis
Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 248 pages | ISBN 9781491742716
Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 248 pages | ISBN 9781491742723
E-Book | 248 pages | ISBN 9781491742709
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Arlene Sollis is a retired special education teacher and advocate for disability rights. She was born with cerebral palsy in 1935. She received an associate degree in occupational therapy from Manchester Community College in Connecticut and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in special education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She has been living in Spring Hill, Florida since 2012.
iUniverse, an Author Solutions, LLC, self-publishing imprint, is the leading book marketing, editorial services, and supported self-publishing provider. iUniverse has a strategic alliance with Indigo Books & Music, Inc. in Canada, and titles accepted into the iUniverse Rising Star program are featured in a special collection on BarnesandNoble.com. iUniverse recognizes excellence in book publishing through the Star, Reader’s Choice, Rising Star and Editor’s Choice designations—self-publishing’s only such awards program. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, iUniverse also operates offices in Indianapolis. For more information or to publish a book, please visit iuniverse.com or call 1-800-AUTHORS. For the latest, follow @iuniversebooks on Twitter.
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