Local Teachers Won't Rest Until Special Needs Children Gain Acceptance

When Heather McCarthy’s daughter, Maya, attended her first day of preschool, it took a little something special to explain her rare metabolic condition to the rest of the class.

But instead of reviewing the details of Maya’s propionic acidemia, her teacher simply pulled out a book and read a colorful story to the students.

“Maya is just like me and you. Here are some things she likes to do. Maya likes to sing and dance and will always share. She is someone special who will always care.”

The story helped Maya’s teacher and her classmates accept Maya as a little girl who is just like everyone else. This is the effect McCarthy and Kate Ryan, two friends and Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School teachers, hope to replicate for every special child.

McCarthy and Ryan started a business, called Someone Special Uniquely Personalized Books, to help parents and children overcome anxiety about acceptance through customized, brightly illustrated books.

The pair still have work to do before children can get their hands on a personalized book, but a Kickstarter campaign they’ve planned for April will give the community a chance to directly support their cause.

McCarthy and Ryan graciously took the time to answer a few questions for Patch.

Q: Can you describe the process for writing each book template for different special needs?

A: We knew the idea of writing different scripts for every type of condition was impossible. There is one, universal script written that has different variations depending on the syndrome, disability or condition. There are numerous “blanks” in all versions so parents can personalize the child’s name and birth date, hobbies and interests, name of their child’s condition and illustrations. When a parent first logs on to the site, they choose which version of the script best fits the need of their child. From there they can fill in the blanks to create their story. The final page in the book is left blank as an open canvas for the parent to include any additional information.

Q: How have your experiences as teachers influenced the development of this business?

A: As teachers, tutors, coaches and club supervisors, we’ve spent thousands of hours with children each year for the past decade. This time is invaluable to the process of understanding children, the way they think and the way they view the world. Children are naturally inquisitive creatures. They crave knowledge and want to know the “whys” of the world. This is especially true with young children observing disabilities. Children want to know why someone looks different, why someone acts different and why someone moves or speaks in a different way. As teachers, we are better prepared to answer these questions in an honest, yet sensitive way. The role of a teacher is to foster learning and understanding in our students. Through our personalized picture books, we will be able to explain the “whys” that make children with disabilities different, but more importantly the “hows” of how the child with a disability is more like you rather than different from you. We want our readers to see the common thread, the common interests and the common hobbies that they might share with the child how happens to have a disability.

Q: What has been the greatest challenge so far?

A: Our greatest challenge so far has been finding a reasonably priced printer. We need to find a printer that can print personalized hardcover books at a sensible price for these special needs parents. We feel special needs parents are almost taken advantage of in a sense because manufacturers know these parents will buy any and all products that they believe will help their child, no matter what the cost. We do not want to take advantage of our special needs families, we want to help them. Our books will be helpful, but they also need to be affordable.

Q: What resources, individuals or organizations have helped you along the way?

A: We have been so fortunate to have so many families and organizations reach out to us and ask how they can help. Each week we meet with a new special needs family, organization or support group to enhance our books. We have met with a mother who has a daughter with Apert syndrome, a mother who has a child with Down syndrome, a father and great grandfather of a child with cerebral palsy and an Easter Seals support group for mothers of children with special needs. The National Organic Acids Association has reached out, along with the local Oak Lawn Children’s Museum. Each and every organization, family and association gives us advice and assistance on how to better meet the needs of each and every child we strive to assist.

Q: How will you define success for Someone Special Uniquely Personalized Books?

A: We will be satisfied when each and every special need child across the world has a book in their hand showing how they are just like everyone else and deserve to be respected and accepted.

Still have questions? Contact McCarthy and Ryan at someonespecialbooks@gmail.com, visit the Someone Special website and Facebook page.

Photos courtesy of Someone Special Uniquely Personalized Books.