Upon meeting Sara Pyszka, most people think they know what it's like to be her, regardless of what they actually know about her.
They see her wheelchair. They see the computer attached to her chair. They may or may not see the bands that hold her arms down, or the buttons on either side of her head rest. They see, and probably speak with, whichever personal assistant is accompanying her that day. They see her, yes, but this doesn’t mean they know anything about her.
Few people can accurately imagine what it’s like to be completely nonverbal, to be unable to walk or use their hands. They don’t actually know what it’s like to rely on strangers to get them out of bed and ready for the day, to feed them, to bathe them.
Inside My Outside: An Independent Mind in a Dependent Body provides an in-depth look into the life of a young woman with cerebral palsy who cannot walk or talk but who uses an electronic device for communication. This memoir covers three full days, from morning to night, in Sara Pyszka’s life, providing glimpses of past relationships, friendships, schooling, and outrageous stories about the challenges of hiring, firing, and working with personal care assistants. Sara even takes it a step further by providing the occasional comparison between her life and what she imagines life would be like if she did not have a disability.
Inside My Outside is available on Amazon and Audible.
They see her wheelchair. They see the computer attached to her chair. They may or may not see the bands that hold her arms down, or the buttons on either side of her head rest. They see, and probably speak with, whichever personal assistant is accompanying her that day. They see her, yes, but this doesn’t mean they know anything about her.
Few people can accurately imagine what it’s like to be completely nonverbal, to be unable to walk or use their hands. They don’t actually know what it’s like to rely on strangers to get them out of bed and ready for the day, to feed them, to bathe them.
Inside My Outside: An Independent Mind in a Dependent Body provides an in-depth look into the life of a young woman with cerebral palsy who cannot walk or talk but who uses an electronic device for communication. This memoir covers three full days, from morning to night, in Sara Pyszka’s life, providing glimpses of past relationships, friendships, schooling, and outrageous stories about the challenges of hiring, firing, and working with personal care assistants. Sara even takes it a step further by providing the occasional comparison between her life and what she imagines life would be like if she did not have a disability.
Inside My Outside is available on Amazon and Audible.
Brynn Evason is, in many ways, just like an ordinary 17-year-old girl - she cares too much about what other people think of her, she's embroiled in major friendship drama, and she can't wait to head off to summer camp.
But in Sara Pyszka's heartwarming coming-of-age drama, Dancing Daisies, listeners learn that Brynn is different in one very important way. Brynn has cerebral palsy, which means she must use a power wheelchair and computer to communicate.
After her relationship with her two best friends is shattered, Brynn is looking forward more than ever to her summer at Camp Lakewood. She soon learns, however, that getting away from home doesn't spare her from all of life's dramas.
While some campers meet her with dismay, Brynn eventually meets friends who can see past her disabilities. One of those friends is Tommy, a boy for whom Brynn immediately falls head over heels.
But as Tommy and Brynn's friendship deepens, a misunderstanding puts the new couple in jeopardy. Can Brynn find a way to clear Tommy's name?
Dancing Daisies is available on Amazon and Audible.
But in Sara Pyszka's heartwarming coming-of-age drama, Dancing Daisies, listeners learn that Brynn is different in one very important way. Brynn has cerebral palsy, which means she must use a power wheelchair and computer to communicate.
After her relationship with her two best friends is shattered, Brynn is looking forward more than ever to her summer at Camp Lakewood. She soon learns, however, that getting away from home doesn't spare her from all of life's dramas.
While some campers meet her with dismay, Brynn eventually meets friends who can see past her disabilities. One of those friends is Tommy, a boy for whom Brynn immediately falls head over heels.
But as Tommy and Brynn's friendship deepens, a misunderstanding puts the new couple in jeopardy. Can Brynn find a way to clear Tommy's name?
Dancing Daisies is available on Amazon and Audible.
- Brynn Evason never believed she would be faced with this dilemma. Her sensitive musician boyfriend, Tommy, wants her to come on tour with him and collaborate on more music!
Tommy isn't discomfited by her cerebral palsy. He has proven time and again that he wants to be with her. Brynn loves him for that, and she loves her music even more. It seems like the perfect plan.
Brynn's family doesn't approve. They want her to go to college, and they've found a university with specific programs for people with disabilities. Brynn doesn't want to disappoint her parents, but she doesn't want to lose this magical opportunity. She's torn between a stable future and a romantic adventure.
Luckily, her closest friends are there to help, advise, and entertain her. When the group goes on a college scouting trip, Brynn begins to realize where she belongs. In this sequel to Dancing Daisies, Brynn has to decide what she truly wants from her life and where her heart is telling her to go.
Switch the Song is available on Amazon and Audible.
- Brynn Evason is back at Camp Lakewood! This time, however, she’s not playing the role of camper—instead, she’ll be helping organize and run a week of the camp for people with and without disabilities.
She’s excited to lead a few groups, to mentor the younger campers, to write some poems, and to spend some quality time with her best friend, Randi, who will be by her side for the week. Amy, Brian, and Dave—Brynn’s friends from home—have also volunteered at the camp this year, and Brynn’s hopeful everyone will have a good time.
There’s one wild card, though: Tommy, her boyfriend.
After a few weeks of giving her the silent treatment, Tommy shows up at camp. Brynn is surprised to see him, and she quickly discovers he came for the wrong reason and pushes him to see that his actions are out of line.
As Brynn grapples with the future of her relationship, the adventure that is All-Abilities Week plows on. Despite the drama, Brynn tries to keep her head up and her mind focused on the campers who need her guidance most.
But that’s easier said than done—especially when Tommy isn’t quite understanding why Brynn is so frustrated with him. And when both are afraid that they may have reached the end of their road together. - Mix the Music is available on Amazon and Audible.