by Dennis Dalman
Local authors who have disabilities of one sort or another will read from their works at a “Neurodiverse Author Reading and Book Signing” event from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at the St. Cloud Public Library.
The reading is free and open to everyone. The library is located at 1300 W. Germain St. near downtown St. Cloud.
“Neurodiversity” is a word for a concept that no two brains function alike. Being “neurodiverse” means having a brain that works differently from the average (“neurotypical”) person. Thus, people who are physically, mentally or emotionally challenged view the world around them in many different ways and those reactions are not “deficits.”
The authors’ writings were compiled in a book published by Tipping Cow Press in Minneapolis, a book that will be for sale at the library event.
The reading and book-signing is a partnership event sponsored by WACOSA, Tipping Cow Press and the St. Cloud Public Library. Based in Waite Park, WACOSA is a compressed acronym that stands for WAite Park, COld Spring, SAuk Centre. Its mission is to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to live and work fulfillingly in society.
Nancy Betts, WACOSA’s executive director, discussed the agency and the upcoming reading-book signing during a March 28 interview with the Newsleader.
“Today, it’s our anniversary!” said Betts, excited and smiling. “WACOSA is exactly 60 years old today. It was started March 28 in 1963.”
The agency has three locations – three in Waite Park, which is its home base, one in Sauk Centre and a retirement program for seniors at Whitney Center in St. Cloud. Last year, the agency served 570 people of all ability levels from an area mainly in Stearns and Benton counties. The agency has 120 employees – full-time, part-time and those on call.
WACOSA is funded via waivered services, grants, donations and ongoing fundraisers.
Betts explained how the local reading/book-signing began. Tipping Cow Press specializes in publishing works by neurodiverse authors. First, prospective authors participate in five sessions provided by writing experts from Tipping Cow Press. The creative results are then published collectively in a book. Without the three-way partnership between WACOSA, Tipping Cow and the library, that project creative-writing project, the book and the book-reading would not be possible, Betts noted.
“This has been a wonderful opportunity for those learning authors as well as a great example of the partnerships that can create opportunities for everyone in our communities,” Betts said.
A teacher and writing student work together.
