The South Effingham High School Media Center teamed up with the psychology, health care sciences, business, art, Pre-K and special learning classrooms to sponsor a two-day speaking event for Children’s Book Week with guest Atlanta author and storyteller, Fiona Page, in November.
Page shared her life experiences about her blindness of 25 years in nine presentations to more than 400 SEHS students.
In each animated and heartwarming presentation, Page spoke candidly about the medical procedure that led to her loss of eyesight and her championing struggles to learn to live without sight after 44 years in the sighted world.
At times, acting out some delightful stories for the very young Pre-K students or drawing upon humorous or uplifting incidents recounted in her book, “My Nightlife is 24/7,” Page shares a deeply human perspective about a world of darkness that is very rich in colorful, inspiring experiences that children and adults alike can easily relate to and learn from.
Featured in the book: “Portraits in Spirit, 25 Notable Persons with Disabilities,” Page is an award winner of the Christa McAuliffe National Foundation Fellowship, the Tommy Nobis Award, DAR History Teacher of the Year and received commendations for her advocacy for persons with disabilities from both Governors Nathan Deal and Roy Barnes. She holds past titles of Ms. Senior Georgia and Storyteller for the 1996 Paralympic Games, as well as 1st Runner-Up for both the America’s Classic Woman and National Storyteller of the Year 2000.
To add to her lengthy honors, SEHS Media staff made her an honorary “Library Gold Star Winner.”
Page’s message to any audience, young or old, is a simple, heartfelt one of “HOPE: (finding) Happiness in life and living it to the fullest with Optimism, Perseverance and Enthusiasm.”
In the inspiring words of Helen Keller, a personal heroine from whom Page quotes frequently, she reminds us all: “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
A truly remarkable person and writer, Page concluded her author visit with a shopping spree at the SEHS Stang Zone store and a book signing.
She is the author of two books: a memoir entitled, “My Nightlife is 24/7 — Turning Tragedy to Triumph,” and a children’s story, “Bettina the Bold — A Blind Butterfly Discovers How to Make Friends.”
Overall, the event was a great opportunity for students to learn that life presents us with many challenges, but rising to overcome them is what really reaffirms our humanity.
As SEHS psychology student, Madison Greer, sums up in a reflection on the author’s talk, “If you set your mind to it, you can overcome anything, no matter what the obstacles.” For more information on the author and her speaking engagements, go to Fiona Page’s website: www.fionapage.com or email her at: Fiona@fionapage.com.