MONROE, CT — Margaret Anne Mary Moore will share her story of perseverance during an Author Talk on her best selling book, “Bold, Brave, and Breathless: Reveling in Childhood’s Splendiferous Glories While Facing Disability and Loss.”
The event will be held in the Ehlers Room of Edith Wheeler Memorial Library, 733 Monroe Turnpike, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Click here to register.
Moore, who grew up in Middlebury, survived a prolapsed umbilical cord during her birth in February of 1997, but defied the odds when doctors had given her no chance of survival. Miraculously, she lived through the night and eventually began to breathe on her own.
Moore has cerebral palsy, a physical disability that impedes her ability to independently sit, stand, and walk. She relies on a wheelchair and walker. Outside of family and close friends, she depends on a specialized computer allowing her to type her thoughts before it is read aloud in a synthesized voice.
Despite these obstacles, she used her walker to play adaptive soccer and run competitively. She has been a Girl Scout since age five, earning her Gold Award, and has even participated in extreme sports, such as ice skating, parasailing and ziplining.
Moore, a 2020 magna cum laude graduate of Fairfield University with a bachelor’s degree in English/creative writing and a minor in psychology, earned her MFA in creative nonfiction and poetry from Fairfield University’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program in 2022.
She currently works as a book editor and the marketing coordinator of Woodhall Press, an independent publisher, and serves as an ambassador for her communication device manufacturer, PRC-Saltillo.
She presents at numerous national and international conferences each year, advocating for disability inclusion, accommodation, and tolerance of diversity in higher education and other sectors.
In her personal time, Moore founded service initiatives such as Positivity For Patients: The Art of Yes You Can, which donates works of art and writing depicting themes of motivation and positivity to hospitals in the hopes of uplifting patients’ spirits during long hospitalizations.
Moore’s book was released by Woodhall Press on October 2, 2023 and became an Amazon bestseller on publication day, remaining on the list for several weeks. The Sun recently caught up with Moore for an interview:
You’ve overcome so many challenges in life, what ultimately inspired you to take the time to write a book about your experience?
Moore: This book was my childhood dream. My second grade teacher recognized my writing talents after I turned in my very first fiction story as a class assignment, and she pulled my mother aside and told her that I was a very strong writer and that she foresaw a career as an author for me, especially given my background losing my father to stomach cancer and pursuing regular education, athletics, and activities such as Girl Scouting alongside my able-bodied peers.
The hope that we all share for this first book is that people of all abilities find inspiration to persevere through any adversities in their lives, whether they be disabilities, socioeconomic issues, or any other challenges, and find ways to achieve their ambitions.
When times were toughest, what was it that kept you going? Are there people in your life who always picked you up along the way?
Moore: My mother, Anne Mulville Moore, and I are both optimists and women of faith. I almost didn’t survive the night of my birth — medical personnel don’t have any explanation for my survival and labeled it a miraculous recovery.
As a result, we believe I survived for a reason — to help others learn how they can reach their own ambitions despite the obstacles in their paths.
My father, Terrence Moore, was only 44 years old when he passed away from stomach cancer, and he was determined not to give up. The motto he had for my life with a disability was, “Whatever the obstacle, we will overcome it.”
My mother always reminds my brothers, Sean and Brian, and me of our dad’s determination and of how fortunate we are to be where we are even with our challenges. Our philosophy is basically, we only get one chance at life, we need to make the most of it.
Of all of your accomplishments in life, what are you most proud of?
Moore: I’m most proud of becoming a successful author as I dreamed of doing since I was a child. I’m also extremely proud of my education. I had so many phenomenal educators and mentors from elementary school all the way through my graduate studies in Fairfield University’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program, who recognized my talent and potential and really pushed me to be fearless in my writing and public speaking, and thanks to them and the support of my mother and brothers, I’ve become a fiercer advocate for myself and for others than I ever imagined.
I’m very thankful to them, and I strive every day to become an even greater advocate who can help create a more inclusive and compassionate world for people of all abilities.
Is this your first book? What was the experience of writing it like? How long did it take you to complete a draft you were happy with?
Moore: This is my first book, and it’s the first in what will be a series of four memoirs about different stages of my life. I’m over halfway through with writing the sequel. This debut memoir took me about two years to develop into a solid, polished work.
The writing experience was amazing — it gave me an opportunity to more deeply reflect on and talk to my mother and educators about childhood memories and how fortunate I was to have such a supportive community that enabled and encouraged me to pursue academics, athletics, Girl Scouting, and all of my ambitions just like and right alongside my able-bodied peers.
Congratulations on writing an Amazon Best Seller! Are you surprised by how well your book has been doing?
Moore: Thank you! Like every other author, I hoped my book would be successful and well-received, but readers’ responses have been astounding.
When pre-orders first became available in spring 2023, the book was ranked Amazon’s number one new release one day after promotion started, and it made it onto Amazon’s Bestseller list on publication day, remaining there for several consecutive weeks.
The book is now regularly sought after by school systems and universities that have been inviting me to speak at their institutions throughout and beyond Connecticut. I have loved experiencing how the book continues to gain interest and am excited to see where it continues to lead.
What are your thoughts leading up to your Author Talk at Edith Wheeler Memorial Library?
Moore: I’m thrilled to be speaking at the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library! I look forward to sharing my story, reading some excerpts from “Bold, Brave, and Breathless,” and engaging in a lively discussion with Monroe community members.
My talks always feature, not only a look at what it is like to navigate life with a wheelchair, walker and speech device, but also a healthy dose of humor and a look at how we can all look at life in a positive light and achieve even the greatest ambitions no matter the obstacles that are present.
Books will be available for purchase during the book signing portion of the event.
Is there anything I didn’t ask about that you want to mention?
All respectful comments with the commenter’s first and last name are welcome.
