Freedom

by Mary Crawford

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  It would be easy to make assumptions if you follow social media. These days, fashion and makeup choices seem endless. People have piercings, tattoos and long hair. For the most part, these things get little notice in today’s society. The message is different is good.

  The problem is that when difference is hidden — as in Asperger’s syndrome, sensory dysfunction or dyslexia — people are much less accepting. People with invisible disabilities experience the same hopes, dreams and aspirations as everyone else. They just have more barriers to overcome to reach them.

  Someday, my sons may choose to read this book. I pray they come away with a message that everyone regardless of disability, economic circumstances, or family background, everyone deserves to be loved.

  Difference is good. The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. Diversity should be celebrated in all its forms.

  I love you Brandon and Justin.

  I’ve shared my story with my readers before. Yet, I never grow tired of telling the story of a man wearing green polyester pants and a white snap-up cowboy shirt who fell in love with a young college student with a service dog and a wheelchair. He has always made me feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet despite my disability. He is the person who embodies my tagline. Because love differences don’t. Happy 29th anniversary Leonard! Thank you for seeing me for who I really am.

  I would like to thank several people. Actually, I would like to think so many people I cannot possibly name them all. I would like to express my appreciation to the Indie Author community. You are all amazing. Whenever I assaulted you with endless questions, you willingly answered me with grace and good humor. When I feared my writing career would be completely derailed by three lung surgeries this summer and several weeks of hospitalization, many of you took the time to give me personal encouragement to work my way through my pain and frustration.

  I’d like to thank Kathern Watts for brainstorming with me to come up with the ideas for this book. Your unfailing support and help with research and story continuity are appreciated more than I can say.

  Thank you to Kathy Faltinson for stepping up and tackling the gargantuan task of editing my work. Thank you for your careful, thoughtful feedback. You have made this book stronger.

  I also wish to thank my beta readers and my street team for helping me keep my stories grounded and real. You are amazing.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I have been lucky enough to live my own version of a romance novel. I married the guy who kissed me at summer camp. He told me on the night we met that he was going to marry me and be the father of my children.

  Eventually, I stopped giggling when he said it, and we’ve celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. We have two children. The oldest is a Doctor of Osteopathy. He is across the United States completing his residency, but when he’s done, he is going to come back to Oregon and practice Family Medicine. Our youngest son is now tackling middle school and hopes to design video games when he grows up.

  I write full time now. I have published two dozen books and have several more underway. I volunteer my time to a variety of causes. I have worked as a Civil Rights Attorney and diversity advocate. I spent several years working for various social service agencies before becoming an attorney.

  In my spare time, I love to cook, decorate cakes and of course, I obsessively, compulsively read.

  I would be honored if you would take a few moments out of your busy day to check out my website,

  MaryCrawfordAuthor.com. While you’re there, you can sign up for my newsletter and get a free book. I will be announcing my upcoming books and giving sneak peeks as well as sponsoring giveaways and giving you information about other interesting events.

  If you have questions or comments, please E-mail me at Mary@MaryCrawfordAuthor.com or find me on the following social networks:

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/authormarycrawford

  Website: MaryCrawfordAuthor.com

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/MaryCrawfordAut