Additional information
by Traci Van Wagoner (Illustrator), Kurt Keller (Author), Tiffany Carey Day (Editor)
Nelson used to think school was all about playing around and talking with his friends. When Nelson learns that he has been placed in Special Education, he fears being teased. Consequently, he keeps his learning disability and ADHD diagnosis a secret. With the encouragement of his parents and assistance from Mrs. T., his Special Education teacher, Nelson pushes the boundaries and discovers his potential. "Nelson Beats The Odds" is an inspiring story that celebrates friendship, resilience and empowerment. The striking illustrations give life to "Nelson Beats The Odds", while the author's story is perfect for students diagnosed with learning disabilities or mental health disorders.
Author Biography
Ronnie Sidney, II, MSW, is a father, therapist, author, professional speaker and entrepreneur. He received a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014. Ronnie was raised in Tappahannock, Virginia, and attended Essex County Public Schools (ECPS). While attending ECPS, he spent several years in Special Education after being diagnosed with a learning disability. The stigmatization of special education created a lack of interest in school. Nevertheless, he graduated from Essex High School in 2001, but with a 1.8 GPA. With limited options regarding four-year colleges, he decided to enroll in J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Virginia. The following year, he transferred to Old Dominion University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services in 2006. Ronnie's early academic challenges ignited a passion within him to pursue social justice and to work with the youth. He has spent over eight years in the mental health and academic counseling fields and currently works as an outpatient therapist at the Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck Community Services Board (MP-NNCSB). Ronnie is an active member of the Richmond Association of Black Social Workers (RABSW). He founded Creative Medicine: Healing Through Words, an expressive writing program for offenders. He implemented the program at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia for six months before expanding the program into an LLC. The company's mission is to improve participants' social, emotional, and physical health through therapeutic writing and dialogue. In 2015, Creative Medicine: Healing Through Words, LLC published "Nelson Beats The Odds", an inspiring graphic novel that celebrates friendship, resilience and empowerment. Nelson, the books' main character, overcomes his learning disability and ADHD diagnosis with the help of his parents and special education teacher. After releasing "Nelson Beats The Odds", Ronnie was inspired to develop the Nelson Beats The Odds Comic Creator app for iOS and Android. Ronnie created the app so that children and adults could share inspirational photos and stories about how they beats the odds on social media. For more information visit the author's website at www.creative-medicine.com.
