By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — A woman who has cerebral palsy doesn’t let the condition keep her from writing books.

The Crystal Falls Community District Library, in partnership with the Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association, has scheduled the next author event with winners of the U.P. Notable Book List, one of whom is Dorothy Elaine Paad, the subject of a Thursday virtual event.

The 28th event will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern time on the Zoom platform. Participants are asked to contact Evelyn Gathu in advance at egathu@crystalfallslibrary.org or 906-875-3344. The UPPAA recommends people wither borrow a copy of the book from a library or purchase it from a local bookseller in advance to fully participate in the discussion.

Paad’s book, “Dorothy Is Moving Mountains,” presents an inspiring story of one young woman’s journey to overcome her fears, the UPPAA said in a news release. In this “beautifully illustrated” children’s book, the protagonist is determined to try downhill skiing as an adaptive sport despite having cerebral palsy.

Paad’s company, DEP Books, LLC, provided a biography of the author

“Dorothy Paad loves to create — whether it is a song, a dance, a theater production or book,” it states. “She doesn’t let having cerebral palsy stand in her way. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Dorothy was inspired to write her first book hoping to inspire kids in a way she wishes she had been. Today, she continues to share her story so that others may realize their potential and never stop pursuing their dreams.”

Each of her books, it said, reflects important moments in her life and highlights the people who have supported her along the way. Among the many people that have inspired her work are her father, Eric, and brother, Andrew, who served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, respectively and her best friend and role model, Alice, whom she calls, mom.

In addition to her wor

k in the writing and performing arts, Paad also works as an advocate for individuals with disabilities and caregivers as the spokesperson for the Caregiver Incentive Project and is an instructional coach for the Northern Michigan University School of Education.

Paad is the recipient of a MI-UCP (United Cerebral Palsy Association) Closing the Disability Divide Award and a volunteer with Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice, and is a member of the UPPAA and Marquette Alger Reading Council.

Victor R. Volkman, UPPAA president, reviewed “Dorothy is Moving Mountains” in the March edition of Marquette Monthly.

“The visceral honesty of Dorothy Paad’s stories is what makes them relatable to the universal human experience,” Volkman wrote. “For example, she does not shy away from the factors that gave her trepidation before taking the plunge (literally) into adaptive skiing.

“First she must confront the fallout from years of bullying in high school which has destroyed her confidence, something that many readers will relate to. Next she must face sensory processing disorder, a condition which may affect balance, hearing and other brain activity, which could be overstimulated by a fast ski ride down the mountain.”

Volkman doesn’t spoil what happens during Paad’s maiden voyage down the mountain, but he wrote, “‘Dorothy is Moving Mountains’ is at its core a reflection of how the human spirit can triumph over any disability, any circumstance and any disadvantage through courage, support and a willingness to be helped.

“I give ‘Dorothy is Moving Mountains’ the highest recommendation for schools, libraries, families and anyone who needs a lift about rising above their own circumstances, whatever they may be.”

More information about the U.P. Notable Book list, U.P. Book Review and UPPAA can be found on www.UPNotable.com

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.