Paralympian Shares the True Spirit of Christmas

Blue Katt Gallery presents author Sharon Moore Myers conducting a reading and book signing in Fincastle, VA.

“Sometimes life holds special gifts when you least expect them,” says Sharon Myers the author of her first book, Paco's Gift/El Regalo De Paco.

When Sharon met an unforgettable shoeshine boy in Cusco, Peru she never imagined the gifts she would receive from this magical encounter. Her search for the answer to providing opportunities for the people she had met in Peru who had disabilities and for the street children came to her in a vision during a sleepless night in her Troutville, Virginia home.

Sharon, a wheelchair globetrotter, shares a glimpse of her adventures into ancient, sacred sites of Peru and of the vision she has for her friends there with disabilities. Paco's Gift/El Regalo De Paco, is written in English and Spanish. “Both of my brothers have Macular Degeneration. Jerry can still read the larger text and see the vivid colors in the illustrations. Amon will be able to hear the story on audio tapes available to people who have visual impairments.”

This heartwarming true story, for people of all ages, is about an inspirational encounter between a southern American woman, paralyzed at the age of three, and a bedraggled shoeshine boy in Peru. The young boy's simple act of kindness renews the true spirit and rekindles for Sharon the childlike wonder of Christmas. The illustrations are painted with watercolors and pencils Sharon brought back from Peru, to insure the colors were authentic for her long-time friend and professional illustrator Dell Slier, who because of a disability paints with a brush held between his teeth.

Paco's Gift/El Regalo De Paco, for people of all ages, was blessed by Pope John Paul II in a letter received by Sharon two days prior to his death.

Multi-talented Grace Kim Kanoy joined the Paco Team after meeting Sharon at a travel Congress. Grace, owner of Core Expeditions, and Sharon are collaborating on developing a tour for people with disabilities to the Galapagos Islands. Grace designed the book cover layout.

“What’s next for Myers? Autobiography, a series of children’s books, and a book about her Border Collie, Speck.”

For more information, contact Sharon’s website: www.onaroll.org. or e-mail her at sharonmyers at onaroll.org .