Writers
Mike
Mike’s writing extends far beyond the Northen circle. A life-long writer and educator, he has dedicated his talents to advocating, editing and publishing disability literature. Mike spent much of his career teaching and collaborating with adults with physical disabilities. He was founder and editor of Wordgathering, A Journal of Disability and Poetry. He was also a founding member of the Disability Literature Consortium. As co-editor, he brought us Beauty is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability, and The Right Way to Be Crippled and Naked. Throughout his 40 year teaching career, Mike has been committed to working with vulnerable populations including teaching in prisons, rural and inner cities and holding class for women on public assistance.
Maya
Maya has loved writing from an early age. It’s her form of art and creativity, that helps her express herself, work through things, utilize her imagination, and communicate. She shares her writing in both personal and professional blogs and in her Novel, Johanna’s Secret. Maya uses writing as a medium to help share her story, her journey with mental health, her ideas for spreading hope, her travel adventures, and what’s going on in her yoga, wellness, and writing world. Maya works in Transportation Management systems, but finds her creative outlet through teaching yoga, travel planning and writing.
Melissa
Melissa always has a creative project brewing. She spent her younger years studying classical voice and later shared taught young children through music and movement classes. While she wouldn’t consider herself a “writer”, she has always “circled” back to writing as a way to express herself. Melissa began experimenting with poetry, journaling, drawing and painting as a child. Today she is a mother of 3, a Physical Therapist Assistant, a RYT 200 yoga instructor and is currently immersed in a Pilates certification program. Although she rarely finishes her creative endeavors, she is always starting something new.
Amelia
A less experienced writer than the others, Amelia is a high school senior who enjoys sharing creative works with others. Most of her time is dedicated to schoolwork and swim team, but whenever possible, she loves to listen to music and explore visual arts. While still in the process of selecting a university, she loves learning about academic subjects and social justice, and looks forward to the new knowledge and experiences that college will provide.