Why I Write Part III

Vivi, sisters, and Win

Yesterday, I received this wonderful letter from the mother of these lovely children. I cried. There is no greater gift a writer can receive than to know she's made a difference--large or small.

Dear Ginny Rorby,

I am writing to you about one of your books How to Speak Dolphin. I have read this book many times and I love it. I am around Lily’s age and my brother Win is around Adam’s age.Win has autism just like Adam. He does not have severe autism like Adam but he still acts like him. He goes to therapy and goes to a regular daycare.They aren’t even a daycare for kids like Win, but he has a nice lady who goes to school with him everyday and they love him a lot.

Your book has let me know that I’m not the only one who might feel like Lily does about Adam. I have a special love and bond for Win who I have for no one else. I can’t have sleepovers at my house with friends, he comes into my room and messes up my bed, and he screams when he wants something. I know he can’t help it and I really understand it but it is very hard not to feel discouraged. Lily met Zoe who is blind and a sick dolphin named Nori. They both made Lily realise that it’s okay. Adam might always deal with autism but things will be alright. This book has taught me that it’s okay too. Win is wonderful and might always deal with autism too but he will be okay. Like Adam, Win has people who love him and want what’s best. I love Win and better understand what he’s going through because of Lily and Adam.

This book has changed the way I look at kids or people with special needs just like Win has. I am more patient and kind with those who have special needs because of him. I absolutely love this book and hope you can write more about things like this. Thank you for writing such a wonderful book.

From your biggest fan and best reader,
Vivi T 

Searcy, AR

The real Adam

Something Lovely to share

HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THIS?

anja Brandt is a German photographer who has dedicated her career towards photographing animals and wildlife.

In one of her most recent projects,

Brandt shot photographs of a highly unlikely pair of friends – Ingo, the Belgian shepherd; and Poldi (Napoleon), the one-year-old owlet.

Poldi and Ingo are both pets of Brandt’s, and have formed a bond over the past year that the photographer simply couldn’t ignore.  

Brandt is a professional photographer, and has years of experience doing photoshoots with various animals.  

Ingo, the shepherd, is one of her most loyal and popular models.

“The dog is very very well educated. He is able to do every order by far.  

Head down, head right, stay, sit, everything… but not so with the birds.”

Brandt describes the relationship between Ingo and Poldi as somewhat of a ‘protector-protected’ relationship.  

Ingo is a guardian for Poldi, whom Brandt states “doesn’t know how to live free”.

Poldi didn’t hatch until two days after his six brothers and sisters, and has always been very vulnerable due to his size. 

Ingo, on the other hand, comes from a family of strong and oftentimes ruthless police dogs.

Ingo is very protective over the year-old owlet, and their bond is as strong off-camera as it appears in Tanja’s photographs.

“They respect each other and they can read each other.”

Ingo is often photographed with various birds (such as the Harris hawk)  

and other animals, but he doesn’t share a bond with anyone quite like he does with Poldi.