A tale of acceptance

When I was a baby, doctors told my parents I might never walk or talk, let alone go to school. I have chronic disorder of the glycosylation 1a, a rare genetic disability that affects muscles, coordination and balance.

I had therapists and specially made boots to help me walk when I was a child. I was always very determined. When I fell over I’d get up and try again. When I went to school, I saw the other children had lace-up shoes instead of velcro like mine.

My determination to make children understand the hurt they can cause someone who is different made me write a book, Anna – Just Being Me! I think every person should be valu valued for who they are, not what they look like. I want to teach children not to stare if our speech is a little harder to understand or if we can’t ride bikes because of our balance problems.

Redcliffe Councillor James Houghton launched my book and said it should be in all schools because of its anti-discrimination and antibullying message. My book is now in many local libraries, schools and the Queensland State Library. I even sent a copy to Prince William and Kate for their children and received a lovely thank you letter from them! Gretta Kennedy, Redcliffe, Qld WHERE TO BUY annajustbeingme@gmail.com