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Shelley wrote poetry, she brought some copies to one of her editors. Originally, the editor was doubtful but upon reading the poems, she knew that Shelley had a gift and the rest is history.

"From Where I Sit," is Shelley's story. It is a catharsis of Shelly's hopes, dreams and the chronicle of someone who loves to write and who enjoys life. Through the book however, it is quite evident that Shelley's cerebral palsy is only a fraction of who she really is. During the process of writing, ''From Where I Sit," Shelley received many notes from a publisher who lrenough copies to sell so that it will remain on the shelves. The Rose-Tree Media School District may even include "From Where I Sit" in its REACH program, which educates students about differences. This is surely an indicator of more success to come. kept asking, "What does this have to do with you CP?" To that, Shelley replied, "Nothing. My life doesn't revolve around CP. I'm a normal person."

What is in the future for Shelley? If "From Where I Sit" proves successful, another book could be in the works. But for now, she's going to take it easy and enjoy the glory of being a published author.

When Shelley was asked how she feels about having cerebral palsy, she replied, "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be able-bodied, but not often. I don't have the time."

With a blossoming writing career, a busy college schedule and buzzing social life, who would?

The word "normal," however, is understanding Shelley Nixon. Extraordinary would be more like it. Shelley's positive attitude towards life is inspiring. She doesn't let her disability get her down and when she does she "picks herself back up."

Shelley is a part-time student at Cabrini who will graduate in three years with an individualized major in Human Services. With her degree, Shelley hopes to counsel others with disabilities. She credits some of her successes to counselors who helped her realize her potential and overcome obstacles she faces as a result of CP. Shelley is getting a head start by acting as a camp counselor to children with disabilities. She also participates in the theater group, "Able Arts," which is a cast of able-bodied and disabled individuals working together. Shelley lives in Gradyville with her parents, Brenda and Jack, whom she cites as her inspiration and her younger brother, John.

Shelley's greatest hope is that people buy her book and enjoy it. She wants

Thia is the poem that Shelley won third place In the Delaware County Young Poets contest with.

My cerebral palsy anchors me in so many ways. It is the anchor that tugs and keeps me from drifting towards my desires.

One of my dreams has always been to climb a tree. A simple wish, but one impossible. So, at night the person I wish I could be directs my dreams and allows me to soar in places unknown:

I grasp at brancheswhile my feet searchand scramblefor footholds. Higher and higher and higher. Until i almost reach the sky!

I sit amongthe leaves. they caress me. Their touch is intimate and they murmur, "You are tn,e. m,e, m,e!"

The sturdy branches cradle me. If I shed a tear it would careendownward, skipping off leaves to a tiny muddy "plop" below.

When I shed a tear now it mocksme as it splatters OD my tray. Can't there be a tree out there for ,me?

1be editorials, viewpoints, opinions and letters to the editor published in Loquitur are the views of the student editorial board and the individual writers, not the entire student body or the faculty and administration.