Tom's Birthday Surprise - The Book
Donation protected
“Tom’s Birthday Surprise” the first kid’s book from A World On Wheels. A story like no other blazing new trails for a disability awareness. So be a bright spark, get fired up to order your copy.
Pledge through gofundmefor a very low commitment this book is simply smoking and may soon be extinguished.
Alex Xeras, contracted meningitis at the age of three months old this developed into Cerebral Palsy and as a result of this Alex wants to help others gain better understanding of people with a wide range of physical disabilities.
Throughout his life Alex has experienced firsthand the challenges and frustration of living with a disability. This is due to a lack of awareness and understanding by his early educators Alex was told that he would never achieve anything and so has spent a number of years since childhood proving otherwise. In the early years and even today some children would point and even stare at him making fun of his differences.
In short Alex overcomes his challenges simply by thinking of his different abilities, he is constantly driving himself to achieve greater things; Alex holds a Master of Arts in creative writing, a Bachelor of Arts in English and creative writing, and is a teacher.
Through his alter ego Tom, Alex provides real insights into what it’s like growing up with a disability, and to show other sufferers that it shouldn’t be a handicap to live the life they want.
The Book
Alex has been inspired by the creative genius of Jim Henson (creator of puppet shows such as Sam and Friends, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and The Muppet Show).
Jim Henson was able to create puppets that children think are “real” people and that they could relate to as friends.
Tom, will be like these legendary characters created by Jim Henson. Children will be attracted to their “real” friend Tom. There will be immediacy and impact.
The book titled “Tom’s Birthday Surprise” is aimed at Children, Parents and Educators. It follows the life and stories of Tom, a wheelchair user, in everyday scenarios as noted below:
Testimonial
“I'm a disabled Aunty of 11 of nieces/nephews, I have an Arterial Venus Malformation in my Brain which causes Strokes, Epilepsy and Vertigo. Since I had my first stroke when I was 5. Growing up I was seen as ‘the Weird one.’ I believe the book Tom’s Birthday Surprise is a great way to help all people understand that just because I may not be able to do all things completely on my own there are some things that I like to do for myself, I still enjoy my independence. This book will help my nieces and nephews and their friends understand me better. Because of this book and the way that it deals with explaining disability I hope that it will make it easier for people with different ways of handling everyday situations to be has accepted by others in future.” Julie Burke
The Budget
The gofundme Campaign will provide much needed funding to enable Tom’s Birthday Surprise Book to be published.
I am asking for [$20,000], most of which will be going to pay for the printing and shipping of the book. The remainder will go into future books creation and printing costs.
How close is the book to completion?
The book is completed, we have the proof copy from the printer. We just need the funds to pay the printer for the first run.
Risks and challenges
The book is written, the artwork is in the final stages of creation, and then the book will be sent to the Printer.
What do I get for my donation?
Donate $30 and you'll recieve a printed copy of the book, increase that to $50 and we'll provide 2 signed first print editions.
Donate $100 and you'll recieve 4 copies of the book;
If you're an education institution you can donate $500 and you'll recieve 25 copies.
When you donate, please remember to leave your email address and when we've achieved our target to print, we'll be in contact with you to get your postal address to send you your copy of Tom's Birthday Surprise.
Pledge through gofundmefor a very low commitment this book is simply smoking and may soon be extinguished.
Alex Xeras, contracted meningitis at the age of three months old this developed into Cerebral Palsy and as a result of this Alex wants to help others gain better understanding of people with a wide range of physical disabilities.
Throughout his life Alex has experienced firsthand the challenges and frustration of living with a disability. This is due to a lack of awareness and understanding by his early educators Alex was told that he would never achieve anything and so has spent a number of years since childhood proving otherwise. In the early years and even today some children would point and even stare at him making fun of his differences.
In short Alex overcomes his challenges simply by thinking of his different abilities, he is constantly driving himself to achieve greater things; Alex holds a Master of Arts in creative writing, a Bachelor of Arts in English and creative writing, and is a teacher.
Through his alter ego Tom, Alex provides real insights into what it’s like growing up with a disability, and to show other sufferers that it shouldn’t be a handicap to live the life they want.
The Book
Alex has been inspired by the creative genius of Jim Henson (creator of puppet shows such as Sam and Friends, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock and The Muppet Show).
Jim Henson was able to create puppets that children think are “real” people and that they could relate to as friends.
Tom, will be like these legendary characters created by Jim Henson. Children will be attracted to their “real” friend Tom. There will be immediacy and impact.
The book titled “Tom’s Birthday Surprise” is aimed at Children, Parents and Educators. It follows the life and stories of Tom, a wheelchair user, in everyday scenarios as noted below:
Testimonial
“I'm a disabled Aunty of 11 of nieces/nephews, I have an Arterial Venus Malformation in my Brain which causes Strokes, Epilepsy and Vertigo. Since I had my first stroke when I was 5. Growing up I was seen as ‘the Weird one.’ I believe the book Tom’s Birthday Surprise is a great way to help all people understand that just because I may not be able to do all things completely on my own there are some things that I like to do for myself, I still enjoy my independence. This book will help my nieces and nephews and their friends understand me better. Because of this book and the way that it deals with explaining disability I hope that it will make it easier for people with different ways of handling everyday situations to be has accepted by others in future.” Julie Burke
The Budget
The gofundme Campaign will provide much needed funding to enable Tom’s Birthday Surprise Book to be published.
I am asking for [$20,000], most of which will be going to pay for the printing and shipping of the book. The remainder will go into future books creation and printing costs.
How close is the book to completion?
The book is completed, we have the proof copy from the printer. We just need the funds to pay the printer for the first run.
Risks and challenges
The book is written, the artwork is in the final stages of creation, and then the book will be sent to the Printer.
What do I get for my donation?
Donate $30 and you'll recieve a printed copy of the book, increase that to $50 and we'll provide 2 signed first print editions.
Donate $100 and you'll recieve 4 copies of the book;
If you're an education institution you can donate $500 and you'll recieve 25 copies.
When you donate, please remember to leave your email address and when we've achieved our target to print, we'll be in contact with you to get your postal address to send you your copy of Tom's Birthday Surprise.
Organizer
Alex Xeras
Organizer
Manahan NSW
