‘We need to see America through Connor Gifford’s eyes’
July 6th, 2008
From the Cape Cod Times:
Connor Gifford, a 26-year-old man with Down syndrome, has co-authored a book of American history. “America According to Connor Gifford,” which he penned with the help of documentary filmmaker Victoria Harris, left, recounts familiar stories told in Gifford’s unique voice. The book emphasizes his profound sense of civil rights.
“This isn’t just a cute book. It’s subversive in that it’s a profoundly deep book that sneaks up on you,” Harris says. “Connor has the capacity to make sense of who we are, and he can bring home this point that we have got to stop repeating the same mistakes and the only way we can do that is by knowing our history.”
In the prologue, Gifford explains that he is deeply grateful for the gift of Down syndrome.
“I was so blessed, and that’s why I thank God for my gift,” Gifford says. “I am sensitive to things like you don’t mistreat somebody who is, let’s say, black, or Indian, or Mexican. We all have something in ourselves that we can say to the world, ‘Look out world, here I come.’”
(Cape Cod Times photo)
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July 9th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I had the honor to work with Connor and Victoria this year at BookExpo America. It was truly a pleasure to help introduce Connor to the publishing industry of BEA, and even more rewarding to watch the reaction of everyone who met him!
Every American should read this book … it is one of a kind.