Belated Updates

Idaho Family Reunion (Last Weekend)

Minus the treacherous time it took to arrive in Idaho, I am grateful for the chance to have reconnected with relatives and make some new memories together. We spent quality time at the family cabin while having a scrumptious lunch and having a short program, about our missionaries who are currently out serving in the lord, etc. I especially loved getting to visit where my grandparents are buried and seeing their beautiful headstone again was incredible. I greatly miss being around them more than anything in this world, but I know they are in a better place and watching over us from the other side. It was really great to hear some heartwarming stories about them, made the reunion even more special. 

YA Fairytale Retellings

I have especially loved getting to be sucked into the world of fantasy and learn more about individuals with disabilities being represented in literature. This summer has given me extra time to do a lot more reading than I have ever done and I am genuinely loving every minute of it so much. I am certain what one of the many fairytale retelling books I will read next and cannot wait to get started on it--sometime soon!!! I look forward to reading more about what other adventures and experiences my friends will be doing or simply learning along the way in the next book. 

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Mini Synopsis

In this disability inclusive retelling of Snow White, it was a very clear reminder of what it means to treat others with respect and integrity regardless if you are uniquely different than most people. There is a kid who has a severe intellectual disability and has to be taught how to maintain boundaries with people they associate with or want to get to know better. I know for me it was really hard not to feel the slightest bit sorry for making one mistake after the next and hoping it would all just be erased. However, I know that my experiences with this haven't necessarily been perceived as normal--but recognizing that I have a lot more potential to do hard things whenever asked. I may never be poisoned by eating an apple somebody brings over to my home, but sometimes throughout my life-- I have felt at one time or another this way with not knowing what I could have done better than what I did in that moment. I am never gonna not learn from my mistakes without feeling a little bit in this way and even if I may take it hard in the very beginning-- I know everything will be okay. 

The young man named Oliver in this story touched my heart through his unconditional love that he just simply wanted to give away to others and being reminded of what is appropriate along with what is not, which if you ask me is a different story for a later time!!! It certainly gave me a small glimpse into what happened with me earlier this year and not having been as careful with others as I should have been, but without going into details here--I know there is a lot more for me to still learn. 

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Poisoned

 

After this lovely princess flees for her life and waking from a deep slumber, Snow White finds herself as a suspect in her stepmothers murder and discovers that the prince she is engaged to isn't as charming as she once thought. She begins to seek solace in an unlikely place--in the cottage where she was poisoned. 

I absolutely love the depth this book goes into about disability inclusion & bringing awareness to people with severe IDD in such a vulnerable population. I am grateful for Snow White being able to stick it out while she endures through unknown circumstances that she has never experienced through out her life. I cannot imagine what she must be going through with deciding if she wants to be the next queen in her kingdom or just remain a servant. LONG STORY SHORT----I have enjoyed seeing a very unique relationship between a young man who is slightly different than most-- just sharing his love with so many people as freely as he does. He clearly loves Snow White for the person she is instead of being perceived as someone that doesn't want to live her fairytale life with someone who is not as charming or loving as her prince appeared to be. I may never be poisoned by eating an apple inside of a cottage with seven dwarfs, but knowing that one of them was slightly different than the rest--I would do everything in my power to be their friend. 

(End Of Part One)