By Jamie Salter
At the young age of 22, Tynong North’s Alyssa Weaver is launching her very first children’s book to promote an understanding of diversity.
Alyssa was born in Warragul, grew up in Pakenham, and was well-known for her business Miss Janes Parties where she would dress up as popular characters for children’s parties.
She has worked in the disability sector since she graduated from high school and was inspired to publish her book thanks to Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott.
“I wrote the book quite a while ago but I was too afraid to publish – that’s when Dylan’s speech inspired me to go for it,” she said.
“My book is a resource designed for classroom discussions and at-home reading, allowing children to learn about disability and ask questions in a safe environment.
“Growing up my mum worked as a disability support worker and we also had friends who lived with disability so as a child I never thought twice about it when it came to meeting someone with a disability but for a lot of children it’s not like this.
“With 15 per cent of our community living with physical and non-physical disabilities, education and representation within our community is vital for positive change.”
The book aims to be a useful tool to encourage discussions around disability and to combat bullying in schools.
Alyssa said discrimination comes from a lack of education.
“I collect progressive children’s books and I asked a book store the other day what books they have on disability, but they’re on specific disabilities and don’t spark a conversation about what disability is,” she said.
“I think it’s important for kids to have that conversation and it’s not the job of people with a disability to educate kids.”
She said she was looking forward to her public book launch event.
“I’m excited and nervous,” she said.
“I was terrible at English at school, if any of my teachers knew I was publishing a book they would laugh.
“I reached out to plenty of people living with a disability so the process was to make sure it was appropriate and so far everyone I’ve talked to has loved it.”
The book launch will be held on Saturday 16 July at 24 Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham.
There will be snacks, activities for children (and adults) who wish to take part, as well as live book reading and the sale of ‘The Abilities We Have’ book at a discounted price.
For more information, head to facebook.com/events/1757365177947862
