| "Shirley
celebrates friendship and helps dispel many misconceptions about life in a wheelchair. Best friends like many of the same things and these two girls are no
different....As their friendship grows she learns that, though the wheelchair clearly
changes her friend’s life, her personality still shines through. They can still stay
up late at sleepovers and even dance: “She spins on her wheels and twirls every which
way.” She learns that it’s mostly others who feel uncomfortable and have
difficulty seeing past the wheelchair to the person. Stead’s energetic illustrations
add to the atmosphere of exuberance with bright yellows and pinks and the pure delight
shining from the girl’s faces." Kirkus Reviews
The idea for Best Friend on Wheels came out of my work with Physically
Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League (PHAMALy), a non-profit theater company for
performers with disabilities. As
Administrative Director for PHAMALy, I learned a great deal from
“differently-abled” actors about living – and dancing and creating –
with disabilities. Perhaps even more
importantly, I learned that my own misperceptions about disabilities were often greater
stumbling blocks than the disabilities endured by the performers I came to know. Like so many others, I once felt very awkward in
the presence of those with visible disabilities – terrified I might say or do
something to offend. During my first
experience watching PHAMALy’s talented performers on stage, my awareness of
disabilities quickly receded as the performers’ talents and abilities leapt to the
forefront. Working with PHAMALy, I soon
learned that people with disabilities are as uniquely complicated as everyone else, and
share all the same interests, abilities, hopes and dreams.
It is a lesson I wish I had learned early in life.
In my book, Best Friend on Wheels, I hope to help children everywhere
see that, beyond every disability, is a person just like them – a person who might
just be their new best friend. - Debra Shirley |
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It is truly delightful!!! Fun.
Sensitive. Honest. I cannot say
enough about it! What a treasure. Thank you for writing it and sharing
it.
- Teri Westerman, Ms. Wheelchair
Colorado 2000
**** Best Friend on Wheels is a
delightful story that humanizes disability in a simple and fun way. The tale helps
any reader, young or old, to think about the similarities that connect us all while still
appreciating the differences that make each of us unique. The charming
story of two friends provides a bright platform that can enable readers, especially
children, to have a comfortable dialogue about disability, and get past any uncertainties
or apprehensions they may have about disability. As a wheelchair user, I
appreciate the way in which Shirley captures some of the small details of what it’s
like to use a wheelchair while providing an active and energetic image of a wheelchair
user. The vibrant, active images complement the narrative to make the story engaging
and enjoyable – every reader will want to have a friend on wheels! -Regan Linton, Administrative Director, PHAMALY - Physically
Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League, Inc. www.phamaly.org |
