Book Cover and Release Date Set!

Hi everyone. I just received a picture of the book cover and wanted to share it with you. What do you think? I have so many emotions when I see this - excited, proud, and very humbled.

Circle April 15, 2010 on your calendars - That's the day when Someone Like Me will be on your bookstore shelves! Tell all your friends and don't forget that you can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for all the support - John

www.johnwquinn.com

One Person Helping Another -

I was contacted through this website recently by a mother looking for support for her young daughter. Her words are so powerful that I wanted to share them with you here.

John,

I came across your story because I have a 17 year old daughter with Cerebral Palsy and she is just MISERABLE right now. I have been surfing the web in trying to find any advice about the difficulty just dealing with having cp. She is a senior at Charlotte Catholic High School and she is hoping to study physiology at High Point University in the Fall. Jamie is not able to walk and gets around in a power chair. I’m real excited about your book coming out and I know it will help her a lot. I enjoyed very much just reading that one page and I can’t wait for the book to come out. If you have any advice for me right now, I’d love to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to read my note.

Sincerely, Laura

I offered some words of encouragement and told Laura that in fact her daughter inspires ME! A portion of Laura's response goes as follows:

Wow! These were the most uplifting words I have ever heard! I thank you, from the bottom of my heart for your encouraging words. Jamie said she feels sooooo much better knowing in her heart, she is not alone. I printed out your note last night and had her read it this morning (at 5:00am she is up for school) and she almost started to cry and said she will think of those words you said throughout her day when she is feeling sad. She also said, “hey, maybe I’ll write a book one day about my story”. On her way getting on the bus, she said, “I think I will write that book mom”

You know John, it’s funny. I used to pray to God for Jamie to walk. I said I could not deal with the pain of her having to be in a wheelchair. Now, I pray every day for Jamie to just be happy. I use the words, Dear God, it’s me again….. because life has been very tough on my little girl lately. I know Jamie’s life will be complete someday, it’s just been a little tough lately. I believe when God closes a door he opens a window. I know her door has been shut lately, you opened our window with your beautiful words.

God bless you and the very best of luck with your book. She is so excited about reading it! I would love to meet you one day and I have found without her disability, we would never know such wonderful people like yourself.

We’ll be in touch… Laura

I am in the process of putting together a list of resource links that I will attach to this website. It'll include blogs for teens with CP, inspirational stories, and various support groups that are waiting to hear from you. In the meantime, please remember that you are never alone. Pick up the phone, call a friend or loved one, shoot someone an email or a Tweet. Let them know how you're feeling - its important. No one should suffer in silence.

And remember, there is always hope. Right, Laura?

Keep charging! John

http://www.johnwquinn.com/

Vulnerability -

In my book Someone Like Me, An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph over Cerebral Palsy which is scheduled to be released in April 2010, I tell of lying about my handicap and wanting so badly to appear "normal." Some of my friends with CP have called me on that. What's wrong with being who I am? Obviously I now have the self-confidence it takes to be different and proud, but that wasn't always the case. I hated not being able to ice skate, run gracefully or attract women.

Diversity classes abound nowadays, but "different" still often translates to "less than." I've been ridiculed for the way I walk, the way I look at people, and for just standing there trembling. It takes great maturity to get past that, and accept who I am. I tried drinking as a means of fitting in and dulling my life. That didn't work. I tried hiding my symptoms. That helped to some extent, but left me feeling like a hypocrite.

Ultimately my self-esteem was built on perserverence and personal motivation, both which led me to success on the job and at life in general. Success feels good, writing the book felt good.

Now that I'm soon to open my life and heart up to inspection by my readers, I have to confess that some of that old vulnerability has crept back in. Will I be scorned, ridiculed or laughed at?

I'll let you be the judge.

Keep charging - John

www.johnwquinn.com