User:J. Aday Kennedy

J. Aday Kennedy is a legally blind ventilator dependent quadriplegic. In 1998, she contracted spinal meningitis. Due to complications, she stroked at her brainstem. She was 26 years old.

Before the stroke, she planned to return to college for a law degree, a master’s degree in education and a teaching credential.

Her plan laid in her assumption; she would have three or four kids. She believed after she began having kids teaching would be a less time intensive profession than lawyer was for a mother determined to spend her extra time focused solely on her children. Teachers did not work summers and would not require as many hours away from their children. She could work in the school system her children attended.

All her goals revolved around her plans for marriage and children. She believed she would stay home until her children reached school age. Education classes could be taken online to enhance and strengthen teaching skills. After her last child began kindergarten, she would take courses on a college campus to increase her teaching knowledge further.

After she refreshed her teaching skills, she would begin to teach junior high school aged children world history. If and when, she tired of teaching children, she could transfer her skills to teaching adults in junior college.

Her stroke caused her to reevaluate her plans. The change in her life wrought from the stroke, threw her into a deep depression. In 2000, she was diagnosed with an acute case of endometriosis. She underwent a complete hysterectomy. When she woke from the anesthesia, she dissolved into hysterics.

For the days and nights before the surgery, she begged God to let her die in surgery. She believed her prayers would be answered. When she woke the realization struck, her life was not over.

Her dream of giving birth to her own children ended and a life that lacked direction began. She waded in sadness until she met Connie Lopez.

She arrived at Connie’s home with the hope to bolster Connie’s spirits. Connie was dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Connie’s faith in the Lord and spirits far exceeded Aday’s.

Aday rolled into her room positive she would help Connie. Yet, Connie was already happy. Aday left with her own spirits in repair. Connie lay dying unable to move, eat or breathe without assistance. Aday’s situation did not look as dire as Connie’s situation.

Through many hours of therapy, Aday had regained partial use of her left arm and hand. She breathed unassisted by her ventilator for several hours daily. Many good things remained to be appreciated.She began to feel thankful and the sadness dissipated.

Thanks toConnie's positive influence in 2002, she found her hope and drive. One of the most difficult parts of her circumstances was isolation from people. The lack of communication opportunities was cured by her friendship with Connie.

Connie suffered from loneliness, too. Aday realized many people in similar circumstances fought loneliness. The seed for a nonprofit organization, Squeaky’s PALs, was planted.

She spoke at continuing education classes and hosted a seminar at Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, TX. Speaking opportunities abounded at rotary clubs, disability organizations and hospitals.

The mission statement was to foster communication opportunities and relationships for the shut-in, disabled, chronically ill and elderly. She attempted to make Squeaky’s PALs a viable organization. It failed after two years.

In her attempt to design a business plan, she took an online class. After the nonprofit failed, she browsed the other classes offered. Write Your Life Story piqued her interest. This class fueled her interest in writing.

During her childhood, she wrote many stories. In high school, she wrote poetry. When she attended college, her writing satisfied assignments in her history classes. She stopped writing for pleasure.

The internet class ignited her love for writing. Upon completion of her sixth class, an online magazine published her essay “The Ribbon from His Hair”. The essay looked at the comical relationship between her and her adopted father. To read the essay, look in the Wild Violet archives at Fall 2006 Volume V, Issue 3, Phoenix Rising", ezine [www.wildviolet.net].

She found a niche in personal essays and Christian inspirational articles. She had five essays published in the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies. After several more acceptances in Christian/inspirational magazines, she entered the Writer’s Digest 76th Annual Writing Competition. She entered two essays in the Memoirs/Personal essays category. Nineteen thousand essays were entered. Both of Aday’s submitted essays won Honorable mention.

Even though she experienced success when she wrote for adults, she wanted to attempt writing for children. Her love of children and childlike mindset seemed a perfect fit.

In an effort to strengthen her skills writing for children, she enrolled in the Institute for Children’s Literature, ICL. She learned valuable skills. If you are interested in writing for children, you can visit their website at  The investment paid off. In Stories for Children, SFC, her first published children’s story appeared in the February 2008 Volume I Issue 11.

In September of 2008, (GAP)Guardian Angel Publishing contracted her to publish her first picture book, Buster Bear and Uncle B with attached teacher’s guide. The publishing world works in an unusual way. GAP has contracted eight of her picture books.

The books are "Book I: Klutzy Kantor", "Marta's Gargatuan Wings," "Klutzy Kantor Book II: Cobbledom's Curse," Klutzy Kantor Book Three: The Itcnha Itcha Goo Goo Blues,"Buster Bear and Uncle B," "Juggerum." "Stella Dragon," and "Old Factory Fences." The first book, "Klutzy Kantor" will be available for purchase at

J. Aday Kennedy is the differently-abled writer. She is making her dreams come true a story at a time. As a speaker, Aday entertains, instructs, motivates and inspires audiences of all ages. To learn more about her and her writing, visit her website at [www.jadaykennedy.com]