Piper’s Key
Representation in books, movies, careers, advertisements and media matters for all people, especially those with disabilities. Growing up, children with extra needs hear a lot about what they can’t do as those in helping professions spend a lot of time focusing on deficits, missed milestones and gaps in learning or development. In fact, psychiatrist and author William Dodson, MD, estimates that by age 12, children who have ADHD receive 20,000 more negative messages from parents, teachers, and other adults than their friends and siblings who do not have ADHD. This negative messaging can lead to social isolation, poor self-esteem and poor self-image.
The way we talk about, talk to and represent our friends with special needs matters! That’s why we were thrilled to come across Piper's Key, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity gifting inclusive books to children with disabilities. Each book represents every unique being in a positive light, allowing children to have positive representation available on every bookshelf! Piper's Key ensures that the most basic learning tool is a positive representation of children of all disabilities!
After reaching out to learn more, Dr. Jessica Hoefler, founder of Piper’s Key, gifted Pause over 30 of these amazing and inclusive books! Each book included children with varying needs and represented children in wheelchairs, those needing extra help calming their bodies, specific diagnosis’ and more. We are overwhelmed with gratitude and proud to share these books with our kiddos to show that they matter and that there are other people just like them in this big and diverse world!
We got to catch up with Jessica to learn more about Piper’s Key and the work that they do.
Why is disability representation in books important to you? How can representation impact a child with a disability?
Piper's Key was formed in memory of Piper Grace Hoefler, who passed away after 27 days on Earth due to the effects of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 0 (the rarest form of SMA). Had Piper survived her rare disease, she would be living with multiple disabilities and would need opportunities to grow a positive self-concept. The books provide more than just a fun opportunity for children to see themselves in a book, but also allows them to know they are not alone in a world that may make them feel different. Because books are the first media device a child will hold and their first glimpse to the outside world, it is important they see a world with them in it!
What made Piper's Key choose to donate books to Pause?
Pause for Parents has a similar mission to Piper’s Key in that it has a vision of helping individuals with disabilities thrive and be the best they can be. For so many children with disabilities, the primary focus is on their actual diagnosis and treatment/management plan and caregivers are pouring so much of their energy into those areas. Oftentimes, these plans may not include positive self-image through representation, especially for lower income families. Providing books to Pause for Parents was an easy choice!
Why is serving families and kids in the Pause community important to you?
Raising a child with disabilities is so complex! It doesn’t just happen at home or in the clinic or at school, it also happens in the community so having books available at Pause for Parents is so important!
Do you think you made an impact on families with extra needs?
We hope we did and continue to do so! Children need to see themselves positively represented in their world in order to truly develop a strong self-concept. Books are the first media device a child holds and sees. Books have a powerful impact on every child’s development!
Jessica - thank you so much for sharing your story with us and for the generous donation of your beautiful books! We are honored to continue Piper’s legacy.
This is CAN DO. This is COMMUNITY. This is YOUR SUPPORT.
