Children’s Book Teaches Kids About Disability

posted on Mar 23 by Snow in the Advocacy, Disability News, Interesting Links category

In certain ways, Sophie McDow’s grandmother isn’t like other grandmothers. Sophie’s grandmother, Becky Guinn, uses a wheelchair and prosthetic hooks on her arms after a medical accident which resulted in amputation of part of her arms, her hands and feet. In other ways, like playing with Sophie, drawing and reading with her and loving her unconditionally, Sophie’s grandmother Becky is just like other grandmothers. Together, Sophie and Becky decided to share their story with other kids to help them understand that amputees and other people who use wheelchairs are just like everybody else.

When she was only seven years old, Sophie wrote a book to help other kids understand about her grandmother’s disability. The book, called “Bebe and Me” after Sophie’s nickname for her grandmother, talks about disability through a child’s perspective. Sophie wrote the book to explain to other children about how her grandmother lives with her disability and to show them that her grandmother is just like others.

In the book, Sophie says, “Bebe hasn’t changed a lot since getting new arms and legs, but sometimes it is hard for people to understand why she looks a little different. There are lots of people with stories like Bebe’s, but if you just look at their outside, you’ll miss all the fun!”

Becky and Sophie make regular appearances at schools and public libraries to raise awareness about amputees and individuals with disabilities among children. Sophie enjoys telling her story and Becky, an art educator, loves showing children that she can do many things with her prostheses, including painting. The book has gotten very popular, resulting in a website and Facebook page. “Bebe and Me” is also available on Amazon.

After her amputations, Guinn said that her first priority was to be able to paint again. Becky Guinn is a lifelong artist and state-wide recognized art teacher who won the Alabama Art Educator of the Year award in 2009, despite being retired. Guinn still teaches art, paints, makes appearances with Sophie, and works with the non-profit “Hooked on Arts” which works with the Alabama Art Education Association.

 

Sources:

http://www.bebeandme.org/

http://www.amazon.com/Bebe-Seven-year-old-friendship-appearances-appreciate/dp/1456594745/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299285586&sr=8-1

http://www.facebook.com/sophiesbook

http://www.therandolphleader.com/features/article_90a8b856-44eb-11e0-a74e-001cc4c002e0.html