>>> JOIN ME, SHAWNA RICHARDS FOR A NEW SEASON OF THE BOOKCASE.

AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE LITERARY WORKS OF LOCAL AUTHORS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR CREATIVE PROCESS.

THIS SEASON WE´LL BE JOINED BY DAVIS.

TIFFANY, DAVID AND MANY MORE.

TUNE IN MONDAYS AT 8:00 P.M. AND SATURDAY AT 4:00 P.M. ON CHANNEL 12.

>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.

♫♫ >>> WELCOME TO THE BOOKCASE.

I´M YOUR HOST SHAWNA RICHARDS A SOMETIME WRITER AND LONG TIME READER.

JOIN ME AS WE EXPLORE THE VIRGIN ISLAND AUTHORS AND TALENT.

WE INTRODUCE TO A LOCAL AUTHOR AND LEARN ABOUT THEM AND THEIR WORK.

A STORY TELLER LIVES IN EACH OF US.

TONIGHT´S SELECTION FROM THE BOOKCASE IS I´M HONORED TO WELCOME LAVEL SAGE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I KNOW YOU AS A TEACHER.

AND AS AN ELEMENTARY TEACHER.

YOU HAVE TAUGHT AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL.

AT THE UNIVERSITY AND I KNOW YOU AS AN ADVOCATE.

WHAT AM I MISSING?

LET´S TELL OUR AUDIENCE.

>> I´M AN EDUCATOR.

I HAVE TAUGHT KINDERGARTEN TO COLLEGE LEVEL.

I CURRENTLY JUST GOT A NEW JOB.

I´LL BE A READING COACH AT A HIGH SCHOOL IN FLORIDA.

I´M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT POSITION.

OBVIOUSLY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

I´M AN ENTREPRENEUR, BY TRADE.

A POET AND A PUBLISHED AUTHOR.

AND THIS IS MY FOURTH BOOK.

ESPECIALLY SPECIAL TO ME BECAUSE IT WAS COAUTHORED WITH MY SON.

>> WHEN -- THIS IS YOUR FOURTH BOOK.

YOUR OTHER THREE BOOKS WERE CHILDREN´S BOOKS OR WHAT WERE THOSE?

>> MY FIRST BOOK WAS WRITTEN IN 2007.

I WROTE IT AND PUBLISHED BEFORE I MOVED HOME FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

AND IT´S A COLLECTION OF POETRY FOR ALL AGES.

AND THEN I WROTE A CHILDREN´S BOOK CALLED HANGING WITH UNCLE EDDY.

THAT TURNED OUT TO BE IN MEMORIAM OF MY LATE UNCLE.

HE EXISTED AND THE FUN TIMES I HAD WITH HIM GROWING UP AS A CHILD.

AND THEN MY THIRD BOOK.

A COLLECTION OF ADULT POETRY.

SO TO SPEAK.

THAT WAS VERY POPULAR AND COINED THE POETRY BOOK FOR YOUR POCKET.

LADIES, KEEP THEM IN YOUR PURSE AND READ THEM IN THE GROCERY STORE LINE OR WHERE EVER THEY GO.

AND SO THIS IS MY FOURTH.

>> WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS?

>> MY SON HE IS 17.

HE GOT DIAGNOSED WITH NARC LEP SI WHEN HE WAS END OF SIXTH GRADE.

AND DEALING WITH IT AS WITH ANY DISABILITY IS DIFFICULT.

I FOUND OUT THERE WERE NOT MANY BOOKS OUT THERE THAT TALK ABOUT WHAT A CHILD HAS TO GO THROUGH WHEN DEALING WITH HAVING THAT DIAGNOSIS.

OF NA AND ANY CHILD AND ADULT WITH UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WENT THROUGH AND WHAT OTHERS ARE GOING THROUGH AND MAY NOT TALK ABOUT.

>> HOW IS THE EXPERIENCE WRITING WITH YOUR SON?

>> IT WAS FUN.

EVEN WHEN HE WAS LITTLE HE WAS SAYING YOU´RE AN AWESOME WRITER.

HE´S VERY SUPPORTIVE AND BLESS HIS HEART.

HE SAID ONE DAY I´LL WRITE SOMETHING WITH YOU.

IT WAS COVID TIME.

WE WERE STUCK HOME.

AT THAT TIME HE WAS GOING THROUGH MEDICINE CHANGES, TRYING TO GET HIMSELF TO A POINT WHERE HE CAN FUNCTION.

AND I WAS LIKE, THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO WRITE.

WE´RE HOME, WE´RE STUCK HOME TOGETHER.

WE´RE GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER WE´RE AROUND EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME.

LET´S WRITE A BOOK.

IT WAS A FUN EXPERIENCE WRITING WITH HIM.

>> WHY DID YOU THINK IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO TELL THE STORY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHILD?

>> BECAUSE I FOUND ADVOCATING FOR HIM IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND FIGHTING FOR GETTING WHAT HE NEEDS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY ADULTS DIDN´T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY WERE GOING THROUGH.

IT WAS VERY HARD BEING TOLD, YOU ARE ONLY FALLING ASLEEP BECAUSE YOU ARE UP ALL NIGHT AND VIDEO GAMES.

NO.

HE WAS KEPT ON A STRICT SCHEDULE.

HE WENT TO BED ON TIME.

I HAD TO MAKE SURE I KEPT UP ON HIS NUTRITION.

MAKE SURE HE KEPT HEALTHY AND EXERCISED.

THERE.

>> Reporter: SOME MEDICATIONS WHERE HAD TO BE GIVEN A A TIME SCHEDULE.

STRESS HELPS TRIGGER IT.

IF HE´S OVERWHELMED, HE MAY FALL ASLEEP.

AND HE TEND TO NOT BE ABLE TO TO DO THINGS THAT TEENAGERS DO BECAUSE HE FELL ASLEEP.

IMAGINE YOU ARE IN CLASS AND FALL ASLEEP, YOU LOST TIME, YOU LOST INSTRUCTION.

AND NOW YOU HAVE TO CATCH UP BECAUSE HE FELL ASLEEP AND PEOPLE ARE TELLING YOU YOU´RE DOING IT ON PURPOSE.

NO, WE´RE NOT GOING ACCEPT THE ASSIGNMENT.

WE´RE NOT GOING TO HELP YOU.

AND YOU SEE A LOSS.

>> PRIOR TO YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR SON, WOULD YOU HAVE THE DEFINED YOURSELF AS AN ADVOCATE PRIOR TO THAT?

>> NO.

I JUST -- I´M A HELPER.

I´M A WORKER BEE AND A HELPER.

I LIKE HELPING PEOPLE.

IF I SEE SOMEBODY ON THE STREET THEY NEED SOMETHING AND I HAVE IT I´LL GIVE IT OR FIND ANOTHER WAY TO BLESS THEM WITH IT.

I NEVER THOUGHT THAT ADVOCACY WAS MY THING.

I DO A LOT OF THINGS.

I WEAR A LOT OF HATS.

I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT ADVOCACY.

AND I FELT LIKE I FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING THAT IS MORE CLOSER TO HOME, IT´S EASIER TO ADVOCATE.

AND TO TALK ABOUT IT.

AND EDUCATE BECAUSE YOU WERE IN THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> I WOULD AGREE.

I WOULD AGREE EVERYONE IS LED TO ADVOCACY AND DIFFERENT WAYS.

PERSONAL WAYS.

BUT HOW DOES HOW DID YOUR SON´S CHALLENGES INFLUENCE PERSPECTIVE AS A WRITER AND PERSON?

>> I FELT PEOPLE DIDN´T KNOW.

I FOUND SURPRISED ESPECIALLY THERE WAS A MEETING WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET HIM EXTRA HELP THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

AND IT WAS SHOCKING TO ME THE PSYCHOLOGIST IN THE MEETING SAID WHEN THEY SAID TO ME, WELL, WE DON´T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

IN MY MIND I´M LIKE, YOU ARE THE PROFESSIONALS.

I´M THE ONE LIVING WITH IT.

I KNOW MORE THAN YOU DO.

I TOOK THE TIME TO DO THE RESEARCH.

I´M COMING TO THE MEETING PREPARED AND YOU ARE LOOKING AT ME AS A PARENT TELLING ME YOU DON´T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

YOU DON´T KNOW HOW TO HELP.

YOU DON´T KNOW HOW TO EQUIP TEACHERS.

THAT PUTS ME IN A POSITION LIKE I NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

I NEED TO WRITE ABOUT IT.

I NEED TO EQUIP PARENTS.

AND STUDENTS AND OTHERS AND EDUCATE THEM.

SO THEY CAN GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND MAYBE TREAT THOSE STUDENTS WITH THE DISABILITY WITH A LITTLE MORE COMPASSION AND CARE AND KNOWING THERE´S NOT A LOT OF OPTIONS OUT THERE OR HELP OR EDUCATION OUT THERE.

I THINK THERE´S A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OUT THERE.

>> WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT WE SAW A YOUNG -- A BLACK BOY.

BEING AFFECTED IN YOUR WORK IN YOUR RESEARCH, WERE YOU FINDING THAT BLACK FAMILIES WERE REPRESENTED IN THIS WORK OF OF KNOWLEDGE?

>> NO.

NOT MANY.

EVEN WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN FLORIDA, THEY SAID MAYBE ONE OR TWO STUDENTS HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HAVING NARC LEP SI.

AND JUST FOUND A WAY TO PASS THEM THROUGH.

THEY PASS THINGS ALONG THEY DON´T UNDERSTAND.

INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIND RESEARCH AND HELP.

AND I´M JOINED SOME PARENTS GROUPS ONLINE JUST KIND OF SEEING WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT.

AND IT´S NOT MANY CHILDREN OF MINORITY THAT YOU SEE OUT THERE.

AND IT´S DISHEARTENING.

I FOUND OUT THIS WEEKEND THERE ARE CHILDREN EVEN HERE, YOUNG ADULTS THAT HAVE NARC LEPS.

THAT WE MAY KNOW NOT ABOUT.

PARENTS ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT THROUGH AND NOT MAY NOT BE TALKED ABOUT.

>> HOW HAS YOUR BOOK WHICH IS REALLY ABOUT A FAMILY A YOUNG BOY LEARNING TO LIVE WITH THIS.

HOW HAS IT BEEN RECEIVED BY ADVOCACY GROUPS?

>> I´M NOT SURE.

I HAVE REACHED OUT TO LOCAL GROUPS IN MY AREA AND FLORIDA AND HAVEN´T GOTTEN A RESPONSE.

I´M THINKING I´M GOING TO DO MY OWN THING AND START MY OWN NON-PROFIT.

AND MY OWN GROUP.

AND TRY TO GET THE WORD OUT THERE.

AND START SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PARENTS AND MAYBE BRING IT TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND TRY TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT THERE.

BECAUSE THEY HAVEN´T RESPONDED.

I HAVE CALLED AND TRIED TO GET ON THEIR BOARDS AND SEE HOW I CAN BE A RESOURCE AND HELP.

AND I DON´T THINK THAT THEY´RE TAKING IT AS SERIOUSLY AS THEY NEED TO BE.

THINK ABOUT IT, HE WAS FORTUNATELY ENOUGH TO BE ALLOWED TO LEARN, TO DRIVE.

SO HE COULD BE A NORMAL TEENAGER AND HAVE A DRIVER´S LICENSE.

I HAVE HAD TO PUT SOME SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE.

HE´S NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY.

LONG DISTANCE BY HIMSELF.

I DON´T ALLOW HIM TO DRIVE AT NIGHT ALONE.

AND IF HE´S GOING TO THE STORE, OR SOMEWHERE IN THE AIR AREA AND HAS TO LEARN WHEN IT´S COMING ON.

HE KNOWS TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PARK.

AND TEXT ME LOCK THE CAR AND HE WILL TAKE A NAP.

AND THEN WAKE UP AND COME HOME.

>> THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING LEARNING PROCESS.

>> IT IS.

IT IS.

IT´S ONGOING.

I´M TRAINING HIM BECAUSE EVENTUALLY HE WILL LEAVE THE NEST AND I WANT HIM TO BE SAFE.

YOU KNOW.

>> HAS THIS BOOK JUST HAVING THE EXPERIENCE AND HAVING HAVE YOU BEEN APPROACHED BY OTHER FAMILIES WHO ARE SIMILARLY NAVIGATING THIS EXPERIENCE?

>> YES.

YES.

I HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY OTHER FAMILIES, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS EXCELLENT BOOK.

WE JUST GOT PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY.

SO WE´RE JUST NOW GEARING UP AND GETTING THE FEED BACK AND RESPONSE.

AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BUYING IT AND EXPRESSING THE FACT THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THE ADULTS REALLY LIKE IT.

IT MAYBE A CHILDREN´S BOOK, BUT AND A TRUE EDUCATOR IN THE BACK I INCLUDE INFORMATION ABILITY THIS AND A SPOT FOR PEOPLE TO SAY HOW THEY DEAL WITH STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY AND TREAT THEM.

THAT´S A BIG PART OF IT.

>> SO NOW THAT YOUR SON IS NOW A PUBLISHED AUTHOR AND HIS STORY IS NOW IN THE OUT IN THE WORLD, HOW HAS IT AFFECTED HIM, PEOPLE KNOWING THAT PUBLICLY THAT THIS IS HIS STORY AND HIS CHALLENGE?

>> IT´S HELPED HIM.

MY SON IS NOWHERE LIKE ME.

HE´S VERY QUIET AND TO HIMSELF.

AND IF HE COULD STAY IN HIS ROOM ALL DAY AND NOT BE BOTHERED THAT´S HIS THING.

FOR EXAMPLE WE HAD A BOOK SIGNING ON SATURDAY.

I WAS SO PROUD OF HIM.

HE READ, HE INTERACTED WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THAT´S NOT MY SON.

HE DOESN´T LIKE TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

IT´S REALLY IMPROVED HIS SOCIALIZATION SKILLS.

AND I THINK HE´S FEELING MORE OPEN TO TALK ABOUT IT.

WHERE BEFORE HE´S LIKE DON´T SAY NOTHING.

NOW IT´S OUT THERE, SON.

YOU´LL BE OKAY.

WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

HE SAID YEAH, I DID THIS FOR YOU.

HE´S SO HAPPY TO HAVE SOMETHING HE DID WITH ME.

AND THAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR HIM.

>> WHAT I JUST SO APPRECIATED WAS THE REPRESENTATION.

SEEING SOMEONE NA LOOKS LIKE US IN A STORY THAT MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR MAY NOT SEE THEMSELVES CENTERED IN.

AND I WANT TO SEGWAY QUICKLY TO WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP, WERE YOU SEEING BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE CENTERED IN THE BOOKS THAT YOU WERE READING?

>> NO.

THERE WEREN´T MANY BOOKS THAT WAY.

I READ THE NORMAL AMERICAN BOOKS.

COMIC BOOKS.

NANCY DREW, THE BABYSITTER´S CLUB.

THOSE ARE MY BOOKS.

I WASN´T EXPOSED TO A LOT OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN BOOKS UNTIL I BECAME OLDER AND STARTED TO SEEK THEM OUT.

I BECAME A WRITER MYSELF I STARTED JOINING POETRY GROUPS AND WRITING GROUPS ONLINE.

WHERE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AUTHORS WOULD COME TOGETHER, CARIBBEAN AUTHORS COME TOLGT AND SHARE THEIR WORK.

ONLY NOW WE SEE A BIG BOOM IN THE PUBLISHING OF WORKS WITH AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS OR MINORITY STUDENTS REPRESENTED.

IT´S A BIG TREND HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> AND I THINK THAT´S MORE REALIZATION THAT THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAS SO MUCH BUYING POWER.

SO MUCH UNTAPPED BUYING POWER.

>> WE NEED TO BE REPRESENTED.

IT´S HARD TO BE IN A CLASSROOM AND YOU ARE READING ABOUT CHILDREN THAT DON´T LOOK LIKE YOU.

HOW CAN YOU RELATE?

YOU CAN´T.

>> IS THAT WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN AUTHOR, A WRITER?

>> NO.

MY ENGLISH TEACHER IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS SO AWESOME AND THAT´S WHEN I REALLY FOUND STARTED MY FOR PASSION FOR WRITING.

AND I HAVE BEEN WRITING EVER SINCE.

I STARTED WRITING IN JOURNALS AND I REALIZED I WAS GOOD AT POETRY WHEN I WON A CONTEST IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I HAVEN´T STOPPED.

I REALIZE I WAS GOOD AT IT.

AND I HAD A VOICE.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I WAS LIKE MY SON.

I WASN´T OUT GOING.

I WAS REALLY TO MYSELF.

AND RESERVED.

AND IT GAVE ME A VOICE.

AND A WAY TO EXPRESS MYSELF WITHOUT BEING NERVOUS.

AND FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WRITING?

YOU TALK ABOUT BEING A WRITING IN YOUR JOURNAL.

AND THEN TAKING THAT NEXT STEP WHEN THAT CONTEST.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING A WRITER?

>> I LOVE WHEN IT´S DONE.

I HAVE A PROCESS.

I HAVE LIKE A JOURNAL IN EVERY BOOK.

I HAVE SOMETHING TO WRITE ON SOMEWHERE.

PEOPLE KNOW WHEN THEY GIVE ME GIFTS THEY KNOW TO GIVE ME A PRETTY NEW JOURNAL.

AND THEN I WRITE.

AND I PUT IT DOWN.

THIS BOOK SAT FOR A YEAR BEFORE WE DECIDED TO LET´S LOOK IT OVER AND DO THIS NOW.

IT HAS TO MAR NATE.

IT HAS TO SIT.

I DO THE TEACHER EDITING AND REVISING.

MY MOM WHO IS A PAST READING TEACHER IS USUALLY THE ONE THAT SAYS SEND IT TO ME.

MAKE SURE IT LOOKS RIGHT.

AND I HAVE MY LITTLE CIRCLE OF REVIEWERS THAT WOULD REVIEW MY WRITINGS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT 100 TIMES, YOU MISS THINGS.

THEY WILL CATCH THE LAST MINUTE STUFF.

IT´S EXCITING TO SEE THE FINAL PRODUCT.

I REMEMBER THE FIRST BOOKS CAME AND I WAS LIKE OH MY GOSH.

AND MY ILLUSTRATOR.

SHE TOOK OUR IDEAS AND SHE BROUGHT THEM TO LIFE.

SHE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB.

ON DOING THAT.

I´M PROUD OF HER.

>> HOW DID YOU FIND HER?

YOUR ILLUSTRATOR.

>> I´M FRIENDS WITH HER MOM.

AND SHE HAD POSTED A PAINTING THAT SHE HAD DONE.

EITHER IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I SAID I NEED AN ILLUSTRATOR AND I WAS IN LOVE WITH THE PAINTING THAT SHE DID.

I REACHED OUT TO HER MOM AND I SAID I NEED YOUR DAUGHTER TO ILLUSTRATE MY NEW BOOK.

TELL HER TO GET IN CONTACT WITH ME.

AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS SHE´S IN COLLEGE IN FLORIDA.

AND SHE AGREED.

AND WE FORMED A FRIENDSHIP AND HERE WE ARE.

>> WHAT WERE YOUR SON´S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BOOK?

IT´S CLEARLY TELLING HIS STORY.

WHAT WERE HIS CONTRIBUTION SNS.

>> HE ALSO HELPED WITH THE IDEA FOR THE PICTURES.

WE ALSO KIND OF TOLD HER WHAT WE WANTED.

IN TERMS OF THE ILLUSTRATION.

AND THEN HE APPROVED THE FINAL PROOF AND HE WAS LIKE THIS IS THE COLOR WE NEED TO USE.

I DON´T LIKE THAT COLOR AND THIS IS THE FONT.

HE HAD HIS HAND IN IT.

HE DOESN´T FEEL LIKE HE DID MUCH.

BUT BELIEVE IT OR NOT HE DID.

>> IT´S SO IMPRESSIVE.

AT HIS AGE AS A 17-YEAR-OLD, HE ALREADY HAS A PUBLICATION CREDIT TO HIS NAME.

FOR THIS BOOK, AND WHAT I SO APPRECIATED ABOUT THE BOOK IS THAT YOU RIGHT ABOUT THE CHILDREN BEING UNDERSTANDING HIS CHALLENGES.

OF BEING ACCEPTING AND SUPPORTIVE OF HIM.

AND WE´RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IN THE CONTEXT OF HEARING OF SO MANY CHILDREN BEING BULLIED IN SCHOOL AND NOT UNDERSTOOD.

WHAT THAT PART OF THE STORY?

>> I DIDN´T TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT BULLYING.

I WANTED TO TALK MORE ON THE SIDE OF THE SUPPORT.

EVERYBODY TALKS BULLYING.

THE BULLYING WAS THERE.

THERE WERE TIMES HE FELL ASLEEP AND STUDENTS WERE THROW PAPER AT HIM.

IF HE A GOOD DAY AND HE WAS AWAKE IN CLASS.

THEY MAKE COMMENTS LIKE OH YOU´RE AWAKE TODAY.

JUST BECAUSE THEY DIDN´T UNDERSTAND.

AND I´M PROUD OF MY SON BECAUSE HE KNOWS NOT TO LISTEN TO THAT.

IT BOTHERS HIM, BUT HE KNOWS HOW TO APPROACH IT IN A MORE MATURE MANNER.

AND NOT STOOP TO THEIR LEVEL.

AND TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT´S OKAY, I´M OKAY.

I AM WHO I AM AND I´M OKAY.

THEY DON´T UNDERSTAND, IT´S OKAY.

>> BUT THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS BOOK BEING TO RAISE THAT UNDERSTANDING.

>> AND SHOW THE SUPPORT THAT HE HAS FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

AND FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT BH YOU HAVE A DISABILITY LIKE THAT YOU NEED SUPPORT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

HE´S 17.

HE´S LEARNING TO WAKE UP ON HIS OWN.

BUT A LONG TIME, I HAD TO MAKE SURE HE GOT UP ON TIME EVERY MORNING.

AND MAKE SURE THAT HE WAS FULLY AWAKE.

UP AND THEY´RE STILL NOT FULLY AWAKE.

THEY MAY GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF BEING AWAKE.

IT´S SOMETHING THAT HE HAS HAD TO LEARN TO WAKE HIMSELF UP AND MAKE SURE HE SETS ALARMS AND THE SUPPORT IS THERE.

AND IT HAS TO CONTINUE TO BE THERE.

AS THEY GET OLDER.

>> SO, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO SHARE A FAVORITE PASSAGE FROM THE BOOK.

WITH OUR AUDIENCE.

>> MY FAVORITE ONE IS EMOTIONAL FOR ME TOO.

IT JUST GOES HE MISSED OUT ON BIRTHDAY PARTIES, HANGING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY GATHERINGS.

ALL BECAUSE HE WAS ASLEEP.

AND THAT´S ONE OF MY FAVORITE PASSAGES BECAUSE PEOPLE DON´T REALIZE THAT FOR A YOUNG PEOPLE ESPECIALLY, THEY WANT TO BE SOCIALABLE.

THEY WANT TO DO THINGS.

BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE THINGS TO DO AND HE COULDN´T MAKE IT.

BECAUSE HE WAS ASLEEP.

SOMETIMES HE COULD SLEEP FOR HOURS AT A TIME.

AND THE WHOLE DAY IS PASSED.

AND SO, IT HELPS THAT WHEN HE WAS AWAKE THAT THE FAMILY WAS THERE.

THAT THE FRIENDS SUPPORT HIM AND DO THINGS WITH HIM.

AND HE´S OLDER, AND HE IS LEARNED TO MANAGE HIS DISABILITY.

IT HAS GOTTEN BETTER OVER TIME.

SO THEY KNOW IF HE GOES SPENDS THE NIGHT BY HIS FRIENDS HOUSE, THEY KNOW WHEN HE GOES TO SLEEP, NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

NOT TO BOTHER HIM AND WHEN HE WAKES UP HE´LL TAKE A NAP AND GET BACK TO PLAYING VIDEO GAMES OR WHATEVER.

SO IT REALLY HELPS TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT.

>> I CAN IMAGINE THAT BEFORE THERE WAS AN ACTUAL DIAGNOSIS, THAT JUST HAVING HIM SLEEP FOR HOURS WAS VERY SCARY TO YOU.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT DID YOU GET FROM YOUR OWN FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS YOU NAVIGATED THIS JOURNEY?

>> IT BECAME BETTER.

THE MORE EDUCATED MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, THE MORE SUPPORTIVE THEY WERE.

THEY TRULY DIDN´T UNDERSTAND AT FIRST.

AND HE WAS WITH ME.

IMAGINE GETTING MESSAGES FROM HIS TEACHERS SAYING HE´S ASLEEP AGAIN.

I´M GOING TO MAKE HIM GO TO THE BATHROOM AND WASH HIS FACE WITH WATER.

YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE HE GOES TO BED ON TIME.

HE´S NOT GOING TO GET HIS WORK DONE OR PASS.

HE´S FALLING ASLEEP.

IT´S JUST A LACK OF EDUCATION.

I WAS LEARNING IT TOO.

AND THERE WASN´T REALLY MUCH RESOURCES HERE AT THE TIME.

WHEN WE WERE HERE.

WE RELOCATED TO FLORIDA TO MAKE SURE HE COULD GET THE SLEEP STUDY TEST.

MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THE INFORMATION WE NEED.

SO HE CAN BE AT THE POINT WHERE HE IS.

SO AS A PARENT, IT´S VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE I FELT LIKE I WASN´T SURE WHAT TO DO OR WHERE TO GO.

AND HOW TO HELP.

I DID EVERYTHING, I WAS A VERY STRUCTURED PARENT.

HE HAD A BEDTIME, HE HAD CERTAIN FOODS HE COULD AND COULDN´T EAT.

NOT TOO MUCH SUGAR, YOU HAVE TO SLEEP.

I WAS VERY STRUCTURED AND I DID MY RESEARCH AND I USED ALL THOSE TOOLS TO TRY TO MAKE IT WORK AND IT DIDN´T.

SO, THINGS CAME TOGETHER BETTER WHEN I TOOK HIM TO THE STATES AND GOT ADDITIONAL HELP FROM THE DOCTORS THERE.

AND SO NOW WE´RE STARTING TO LEVEL OUT.

>> SO NOW THAT THIS BOOK IS OUT IN THE WORLD, IN THE COMMUNITY, WHAT TYPE OF FEED BACK HAVE YOU RECEIVED AND WHAT CAN THE COMMUNITY DO MORE TO SUPPORT CHILDREN LIKE ARTURO WHO MAY HAVE HIDDEN DISABILITIES?

>> HAVE AN OPEN MIND.

BEFORE YOU JUDGE, DO RESEARCH.

ASK A QUESTION.

A TEACHER FRIEND OF MINE SAID, THAT BOOK IS REALLY GOOD.

IT MADE ME THINK OF A TIME I HAD A STUDENT IN MY CLASS FOR A FEW MONTHS AND I DIDN´T NOTICE.

I WOULD SEE THE STUDENT HOLD HIS HEAD EVERY TIME LIKE THIS.

THINKING SOMETHING WAS WRONG.

I ENDED UP DOING MY RESEARCH AND A FEW MONTHS I ASKED THE PARENT.

THE PARENT SAID YES.

HE HAS A DISEASE.

PARENTS NEED TO SPEAK UP.

ADVOCATE FOR YOUR KIDS.

TEACH THEM TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.

BECAUSE, PART OF THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE IS THE TEACHER DOESN´T KNOW, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO HELP THEM?

AND EQUIP THEMSELVES TO HELP THE STUDENT.

A GOOD TEACHER WILL DO THE EXTRA RESEARCH.

EVEN IF THERE´S NO INFORMATION TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CHILD GETS THE BEST EDUCATION THEY CAN GET.

>> WAS IT INTENTIONAL TO TELL YOUR STORY ABOUT NARCOLEPSY IN A CHILDREN´S BOOK INSTEAD OF A AN ARTICLE.

>> I´M A CREATIVE PERSON.

AND JOURNAL ARTICLES ARE NOT FUN.

YOU WILL NOT SEE ME WRITING A NOVEL.

THAT´S TOO LONG.

MY ATTENTION SPAN IS LIKE --.

A CHILDREN´S BOOK AND I ACTUALLY DID A LITTLE RESEARCH BEFORE I DO THAT.

I´M INTENTIONAL WHEN I WRITE.

I LOOKED AND I REALLY DIDN´T SEE ANY CHILDREN´S BOOKS OUT THERE WITH AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILD TALKING ABOUT THIS DISEASE AND THE EXPERIENCE OR RELATED TO THAT.

SO I WANTED TO BE THE FIRST.

AND TELL OUR STORY IN A UNIQUE WAY.

>> SO FOR YOUR PROCESS YOU SAID THAT YOU WROTE THE BOOK AND LET IT MARINADE FOR A YEAR.

WHAT ELSE DID YOU HAVE COOKING?

>> I HAVE BEEN WRITING SOME MORE POETRY.

MY ADULT POETRY BOOK AND SO I´M WORKING ON FINISHING UP SOME PASSION.

WHICH WILL BE A SEQUEL.

I´M WORKING ON THAT.

AND IT´S ALMOST FINISHED.

I NEED A FEW MORE POEMS.

THERE´S A NUMBER TO THIS.

AND I´M WORKING ON ANOTHER CHILDREN´S BOOK THAT HAS BEEN MARINADING THAT I NEED TO TAKE UP NOW.

AND FIX UP AND FINISH.

AND THAT ONE IS GOING TO BE WRITTEN IN DIALECT.

AND IT TALKS ABOUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAMP DURING EASTER AND IT´S IMPORTANT TO US TO BE ABLE TO TAMP AND GO ON THE BEACH AND STUFF.

AND THE ONE TIME MY SON WENT CAMPING WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER, OUR TENT GOT FLOODED.

WE HAD A RAIN.

THERE WAS A LOT OF WATER.

WE WANT TO CAPTURE THE FUNNY MOMENTS IN A BOOK.

I WROTE THAT ONE.

HE MAY HELP ME WITH SOME OF THAT ONE TOO.

>> HOW DO YOU BALANCE WITH YOUR DAY JOB AS READING COACH, ADVOCACY AND CREATIVITY, HOW DO YOU BALANCE EVERYTHING?

>> PRAYER.

SUMMERTIME BECAUSE I´M THE GOOD THING ABOUT HAVING THIS SCHEDULE IS SUMMERTIME TENDS TO BE MY HOLIDAY.

MY FLEXIBILITY TO WRITE.

I DON´T SLEEP MUCH AT NIGHT.

I LIKE TO WRITE AT NIGHT WHEN THE HOUSE IS COOL.

THE HOUSE THE WORLD IS QUIET.

EVERYTHING OUTSIDE IS QUIET.

I CENTER MYSELF AND WRITE.

I´M LOVING BEING HOME RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE WATER IS MY ELEMENT.

AND SO I HAVE BEEN WRITING A LOT.

SINCE I LANDED.

I BROUGHT MY JOURNAL AND WRITING.

I JUST -- I BECAME AN ADULT, IT´S WORK AND LIFE BALANCE.

I TAKE THE TIME TO DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO.

AND I TAKE THE TIME TO DO WHAT I NEED TO DO.

AND I TAKE THE TIME TO DO WHAT I LOVE TO DO.

AND THIS IS MY PASSION.

>> YOUR PROCESS IS WRITING IN JOURNALS, THE LONGHAND PERSON OR DO YOU GO TO A LAPTOP AND KNOCK IT OUT?

>> THE LAPTOP IS AFTER.

I LOVE THE FEEL OF THE PAGES IN MY HAND.

I LOVE A PRETTY PEN.

I SIT IN A NICE COMFORTABLE CHAIR AND I LOVE MY CANDLES.

I´M GOOD TO GO.

I SIT AT THE BEACH AND WRITE.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS?

THERE´S PROBABLY SOMEONE WATCHING THIS PROGRAM THINKING I HAVE A STORY I´D LIKE TO TELL.

IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ADVOCACY BASE.

WHAT WOULD YOUR TIPS BE?

>> GET IT ALL DOWN.

THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DO IS WRITE.

HOW AM I GOING TO MARKET IT?

WE´RE NOT THERE YET.

IF YOU PREFER TO TYPE, FINE.

SOME PEOPLE SAY I DON´T LIKE TO WRITE.

GET A RECORDER.

RECORD YOUR STORY.

THAT´S NOT GOING TO BE EDITED.

WE´RE NOT THERE YET.

YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR STORY DOWN.

IN THE RAWEST FORM.

GET ALL THE MEANING AND THE PASSION AND EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH YOUR AUDIENCE IN THE RAWEST FORM.

AND THEN YOU TAKE THAT AND YOU LET IT MARE NATE.

THAT´S MY PROCESS.

FOR A LONG OR SHORT TIME.

AND GO BACK AND RELISTEN TO IT, REREAD IT.

AND SHAPE IT INTO THE PRODUCT YOU WANT.

WITHOUT LOSING THAT PASSION AND MESSAGE.

>> SO, NO EDITING BEFORE YOU WRITE IT?

>> NO.

>> WRITE IT.

>> AND THEN YOU EDIT IT.

MAKE THAT PROCESS.

>> I SO APPRECIATE YOU TAKING TIME TO TALK TO THE BOOKCASE AUDIENCE ABOUT ARTURO SLEEPS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT´S BEEN A PLEASURE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR LOCAL TALENT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS BOOK OR ANY BOOKS ON THIS PROGRAM VISIT OUR WEB SITE.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR LOCAL AUTHORS AND WE´LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK WHEN WE TAKE ANOTHER BOOK FROM THE BOOKCASE.

>>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF OR UNDERWRITERS.