National Read a Book Day: Spotlight on Community Authors

While every day is a good day to enjoy the simple pleasure of reading, National Read a Book Day on September 6^th offers a fun reminder for booklovers to slow down, settle in, and enjoy a good book. This year, we want to spotlight some of the talented voices resonating within the neuromuscular disease community. Our community is rife with gifted individuals, sharing their stories, imagination, and creativity with the world by putting their pen to the page.

With personal memoirs, nonfiction, fiction novels, poetry, and children’s books claiming their space on the bookshelf, these published authors have taken their experiences, passions, and way with words to share something beautiful with the world.

My Own Pace by Bryan Steward

Thirty-two-year-old Bryan Steward, who lives with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), shares the story of his incredible journey traversing the 500-mile walk across Spain on the Camino de Santiago in his personal memoir, My Own Pace.

“I wrote this book to show that far more is possible than we often believe,” Bryan says.  “Even if we have to crawl or ask for help, the drive to reach a goal can be incredibly powerful.”  Read more about his powerful account of strength and resilience in the face of adversity here.

My Unexpected Life: Finding Balance Beyond My Diagnosis by Jennifer Gasner

Published in 2023, Jennifer Gasner’s personal memoir, My Unexpected Life, was named the the 2024 Chrisalysis Nonfiction Book of the Year and the 2025 Journey Chanticleer International Book Awards First Place winner for Overcoming Adversity Non-Fiction. The fifty-one-year-old author shares her journey from fear to acceptance after being diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) when she was 17.

“I write about navigating college, finding a job, going to graduate school, and embracing my identity as a disabled woman,” Jennifer says. “I wrote this book to make others with disabilities not feel so alone and isolated, like I did.”  Read more about Jennifer’s journey to find balance and empowerment here.

Fighting Towards Victory by Brad Miller

Brad Miller, 49, shares his journey living with a Becker muscular dystrophy on his YouTube channel, his blog, and in his honest and deeply personal memoir, Fighting Towards Victory. Diagnosed at age 10, Brad shares the physical, emotional, and social challenges that he’s faced – from navigating school and relationships to grappling with identity and self-worth. His book offers readers a raw look at life with a chronic illness, the power of persistence, and the importance of defining success on your own terms.

“I wrote Fighting Towards Victory to share my journey with Becker muscular dystrophy and support others living with or newly diagnosed with neuromuscular disease,” Brad says. “I also hope it offers parents deeper insight into what their child might be feeling. It’s my way of shedding light on both the inner and outer realities behind the diagnosis.” Read more about Brad’s story here.

A Journey to Freedom VICTORIOUSLY by Jessica Alvarado

Jessica Alvarado, a 30-year-old author living with nemaline myopathy, shares her life story in her personal memoir A Journey to Freedom VICTORIOUSLY. She peels back the layers of discrimination that people living with disabilities are often exposed to, sharing personal obstacles that she has overcome, and discussing experiences within the education and healthcare system as she advocates for change.

“I wrote this book because I first wanted to put my story out to the public eye,” Jessica says. “But my main goal is to bring awareness of the disability community. And I believe society needs to change, and laws need to change.” Learn more about Jessica’s journey to freedom here.

A Billion People in the Shadows by Doug McCullough

Doug McCullough’s short and powerful book about societal perceptions, the vibrance of diversity, and the value of inclusion has been touted as the ultimate 1-hour guide to understanding disability. It has a foreword by legendary broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff and reached #1 in Amazon’s Business Diversity & Inclusion category.

While working for Johnson & Johnson, Doug, who is 57 years old and lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type III, did a speech on disability perspectives and misconceptions for their internal TED talk program. His talk garnered thousands of views across the company, becoming the third most popular talk globally out of more than 500 talks, and inspired him to write A Billion People in the Shadows.

“It became obvious that people want to be more inclusive and help people with disabilities lead their best lives, but don’t understand the disability experience,” Doug says. “My book delves into the societal and self-imposed marginalization often experienced by those in the disability community. It concisely dissects and counters misconceptions routinely encountered by those with disabilities. It establishes that disability is a vibrant form of diversity, offering valuable skills and perspectives. That disability inclusion is not about being nice but about being better and the need to strive for full inclusion rather than mere accessibility.” Read more about Doug’s book here.

Up-Island Harbor and A Vineyard Christmas by Jean Stone

Jean Stone is the author of more than 26 novels. Diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease that is most likely limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) two decades ago, the over-65-year-old often chooses her favorite place for the setting of her novels: Martha’s Vineyard.

“Martha’s Vineyard is filled with wonderful people, cultures, and inspiration,” Jean says. “When I moved to the island year-round, my long-time editor asked me to write a series “or two” that take place there. Because I had set several earlier novels there, I happily agreed. Now back on the mainland (for more specialized healthcare), the island remains with me—I visit often and am thrilled to have been able to adapt my physical condition so I can continue writing my books.”

She shares novels from two of her favorite series that take place on the island:

• Up-Island Harbor (the 2nd in a series) When Maddie Clarke learns that her grandmother—who she thought had been dead for decades—has now died on Martha’s Vineyard, she goes to the island and learns that more secrets await.
• A Vineyard Christmas (the 1st in a 6-book series) Annie Sutton finally follows her dream and moves to the island to reinvent her life—and is quickly met with challenges she could not have predicted…a blizzard…and a baby on her doorstep.

Check out all of Jean’s books here.

One Wants to be a Letter and The Dilly-Dally Parrot by Jake Marrazzo

College junior, Jake Marrazzo, is the author of two children’s books and often visits schools to share his story about embracing what makes you different. Born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Jake’s motto is “Don’t Live the Diagnosis, Live the Life.” His #dontcallmebuddy campaign aims to educate society about how to talk “normally” to people using wheelchairs.

He wrote his children’s books with the goal of helping kids to better understand the world around them – and their place in it.

• One Wants to be a Letter – One is a number, but he wishes he could be just like his friends who are letters. Read the wholesome story of how One finds himself and celebrates his uniqueness!
• The Dilly-Dally Parrot – Captain Brain Beard lives in the mind of Johnny, a young boy who loves school. But when Johnny gets assigned a big project, the Dilly-Dally Parrot wreaks havoc in Johnny’s head, causing him to dilly-dally instead of doing his schoolwork! Can Brain Beard stop the parrot before the due date? Find out in this humorous tale about time management.

“I wrote these books to help kids think more deeply about their lives and the world around them,” Jake says.  “As a young child, I struggled deeply living with a rare disease, finding myself, and feeling comfortable with who I am. I felt I could have an influence on kids, able-bodied and disabled alike, by speaking to them through silly and colorful characters, helping them better understand their place in the world.”

I Am Just Me by Sydney Horak

Twenty-two-year-old Sydney Horak is an MDA Ambassador, disability advocate, and author of the children’s book I Am Just Me. Sydney, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type II, wrote I Am Just Me to encourage kids to embrace who they are. Combining her love for both storytelling and advocacy, her book aspires to make children feel seen, valued and confident. Told from the perspective of a young girl who uses a wheelchair, Sydney uses gentle rhymes and bold affirmations to remind children that they are capable, worthy, and made with a purpose – just they way they are.

“I wrote I Am Just Me to empower children with disabilities and shift the way the world views disability. My goal is to spark empathy and open hearts – because the true impact begins when we recognize our shared responsibility in building a more compassionate world,” Sydney says. “I want readers to walk away feeling empowered to embrace their own story and to never let limitations be their limit. My hope is that this book encourages people to live boldly, love deeply, and never underestimate the impact of simply being themselves.” Read more about I Am Just Me here.