b'MY MAMA IS AAuthor Lindsey Stephenson Its Ellas story. I just told it forThe message in the book is from her,saidauthorSuperheroMamaEllas perspective, Lindsey said. Lindsey(Young)Stephenson,whoMyMamaisaSuperhero!pro-grew up in Greenbank. motesapositiveattitudetowardsHer grandma Mary Young, and her A bedtime conversation betweendiversity,Lindseydescribed.ItisparentsPaulineandFerronYoung, mother and daughter was the inspira- designedtomakepeoplemorewhoallstillliveinGreenbank,al-tion for Lindseys Amazon bestsellercomfortable and familiar with peopleways encouraged Lindsey to focus on My Mama is a Superhero! who have di erences. Its all abouther abilities, not focus on disability.Little Ella was only three -and-a- acceptance,understanding,respectIabsolutelyhadagoodchild-half years old when she told her momand kindness. hood, Lindsey commented.that her pre-school friends were curi- When I was a child, there were noMy Mama is a Superhero!is an ous about Lindseys wheelchair.books or TV shows that I could relateentertaining tale, which puts a posi-Itblewmeawayhowsheex- to, recalled Lindsey, who was borntive spin on enhancing individuals plained it, Lindsey commented. Ellawith cerebral palsy. She has used adi erences.toldherfriendsthathermomhadcane or wheelchair all of her life, butMy biggest fear has always been superpowers and that her wheel- this never held her back.people who question my ability be-chair was a neat tool. She assuredHer parents encouraged her abili- cause of my disability, Lindsey said. them that her mom could do every- ties. She always tried to keep up with thing that other moms can do.her older brother Shawn. As a youth,ELLA AS A CARTOONLindseyplayedwheelchairbasket- Whenthe copiesarrivedinrst ball and coached her friends baseballthemail,LindseywaiteduntilElla teams. gothomefromschooltoopenthe I learned to adapt, commentedpackage. thegraduateofGreenbankPublicElla was involved every step of School and Port Perry High School. Ithe way, Lindsey said. They would had tond di erent ways to go aboutlookovertheillustrationstogether. doing things. Ellawouldmakesuggestions,such as saying that her character should be Acceptance wearing purple shorts.ThroughLeadHerPublishing, understanding owned by former Scugog township respect resident Courtney St. Croix, Lindsey kindness wasconnectedwithherillustrator Sasha Staneva. Please turn to page 4EllaFOCUS - JUNE 20223'