Inclusive and Adorable by Robert Kneschke licensed from Adobe Stock

We are All Disabled in Some Way

No individual is perfect or invulnerable

In 2000, I wrote a story inspired by my friend Julie M. Jones, who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). I didn’t have to be told that I should ask Julie to read the story before I sent it for publication. If she had suggested any changes in how I portrayed the main character for reasons of accuracy and respect, I would have made them.

But Julie said “To Kiss the Star” was realistic, and was respectful toward Mel, the main character.

My motive for writing the story was to answer the question I had asked myself: Why would God give one person such serious physical challenges (Julie) — a good, wonderful, kind and caring person — whereas someone I regarded as less-good, less thoughtful, and less caring (me) seemingly had no physical challenges at all? In a practical way, the story suggests that people with severe physical disabilities might be the ideal space explorers of the future. Some of the tech in the story is real today; more may become real in the future.

I’m glad to pre-type comments of friendly visitors right now: “You used the word ‘GOD’ … I am an Atheist — there is NO GOD — “

Jane — you ignorant slut!

Let’s put this this way: I don’t go around hunting down Atheist tomes to be sure…