Kate Adamson
www.KatesJourney.com
1-800-641-KATE
(310) 546-8142 Fax
kate@katesjourney.com

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Oct. 29, 2004

Hi! Having a great journey. Wish you were here.

Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEM) is coming to an end. But our awareness and appreciation of the “gift” in our disabilities is not ending. In 1945, Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. It was in 1962, when the word, "physically," was dropped in order to encourage the employment of individuals with any type of disability. Congress expanded the week in 1988, declaring the month of October as “National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” Slowly year after year, more individuals with disabilities are given the same opportunity as any able-bodied persons. I believe it is because, as a group, the “disabled” strive to do more to prove themselves.

This past week I went into my daughter’s fifth grade class to talk about my disability and about being an author. What an experience both for the children and myself! Think about it. How many of you reading this have a disability and have children?

Click here to read the rest of Kate's perspective.

Kate’s Journey School Presentations are being booked, but limited to the Los Angeles area. E-mail me if you have a request.

Update on book signings!

Last night I was in Pacific Palisades, near Los Angeles, at a book signing. “Village Books” a quaint, cozy and friendly bookstore run by Katie O’Laughlin has every imaginable book possible. Hanging in the window was this painting of "Kate’s Journey" on canvas. Local artist John Robertson took his brush to canvas painting his impression of the author after doing his research. Each author who has signings at the bookstore has one of these paintings done which many times end up in galleries fetching a high price.

The biggest surprise came when I walked in and was greeted by Amy, who has been with the bookstore six years, but is only there on Thursdays. My mouth dropped when I realized I knew this woman! For those of you who have read "Kate’s Journey," Amy was my social worker during rehabilitation. I have often wondered where she was in her life. What a joy to be introduced by Amy and to reminisce about when I lay lifeless, unable to communicate and here we were last night sharing in the joy of life. What a gift! It was great catching up and reconnecting. Cookies and coffee were served, while I sat in a large, blue velvet chair and people gathered. What a night! Truly exceptional, and I thank you all for making that evening special. Interesting how life works out ... I like to think of them as "God shots."

Thank you to those people who were at the book signings this past week. I hadn’t seen some of you for a couple of years and to rekindle that friendship was special. Thank you manager, Debbie Shepard, at the Starbucks located in San Pedro. I can’t think of anything better than sipping a latte and talking to some of your wonderful customers that stopped by while I was doing a book signing. They are people who I know will always be supportive friends. (Isn’t that what life is about ... great relationships and reaching out and helping each other?)

Are you looking for a dynamic, inspirational speaker?
Call me. Tell me about your conference. What do you want your people to take home with them? Would you like a speaker who deeply inspires your audience to focus on what they want and what they can do to get it, not on what they don’t want and can’t do? I may be the perfect presenter for your next conference ... let’s find out! Call me: 800-641-KATE