Guest Post- Interview With Brittany Lewis By Benedict Musee

This is a very unique post as it is an interview conducted by Benedict Musee with author Brittany Lewis. So in a way you are getting two guests in a single post! In addition, you will hear a powerful message that is certainly worth the read and some additional thought as you begin to digest all that you read.

Autism is still somewhat of a mystery to us but through the painstaking work of parents and dedicated therapists, we are beginning to see the beauty that is also a part of this condition. As will all aspects of life, there is good in everything if we are willing to seek it out.

 

Have you ever felt like the world and everything in it has turned against you? You are no match to what Brittany has gone through. She decided to speak out on a matter that many families could not speak about. I am sure many families/people will be encouraged to speak openly on mental issues affecting their loved ones.

Brittany is a writer and an author. She has written several books on poetry, children’s books, and adult novels. Brittany has a blog, brittanynicolelewis.com. She has worked as a Sunday/preschool teacher. Brittany has an Associate’s degree. She has also been a tutor for people living with disabilities. Brittany is married with two children.

I had the opportunity to interact with Brittany thereby learning about many aspects of her life. She has a heart of steel when it comes to perseverance and hope. Despite going through many tides of life, she has picked herself up and moved on. Even though her schedule is always tight, she accepted to share her experience.

Here follows the interview:

Brittany, you have had both good and bad tidings how have you been able to keep moving.

Sometimes it is difficult to stay motivated, but I have always been able to come up with ideas for stories quickly and easily. There is a lot in the publishing industry that a writer cannot control, like getting a book deal or how well a blog post will be received. However, you can control how much you write, and you can control how active you are in building your platform. It is important to stay focused on the aspects of your career that are within your control.

If you do not mind, tell us more about yourself

I am married, with two young children, a daughter, and a son. We have two dogs, a black lab Border collie mix and a pit bull. When I am not writing or marketing, I love going to the library, swimming and going for walks.

 

You have written several books on poetry, children, and adult novels, what has been your driving force behind all this?

I feel like our society needs more messages of hope. As a society, we focus more on negative things, and I try to use my work to inspire and encourage others.

 

What was it like being a Sunday/preschool teacher as well as a tutor to persons with disabilities?

I loved all of those positions, and I miss doing them. I became an author when my youngest child was diagnosed with Autism so that I could devote more time to him and make sure he got the care he needed. I used my experiences working with children, as well as my degree in education to write children’s books.

 

Brittany, recently you signed a contract with Helheim Games studio LLC for the publication of 12 books (The independence series). You wanted to dedicate them to teachers and families living with special needs kids. What is your take on this? Why free and where will you get the funds.

My publisher and I parted ways, and I am currently looking for a new publisher for that series. I created these books to be a resource for families and teachers and many families that have special needs children also have a limited income because a lot of money goes into caring for the child. There is not always a lot of money for “extra” things, and I want to make sure that people can still have these books even if they cannot afford them. I have put together a fundraiser and have received several donations so far. All donations will be used to send free copies of these books to schools across the United States. You can view the information for the fundraiser on my website at http://www.brittanynicolelewis.com

 

What is the meaning of the phrase “Not to change but to understand your child?”

As a whole, it seems that our society views Autism as a bad thing. I do not. I do not think there is anything wrong with having Autism, Downs Syndrome, or any other neurological disorder. I think the only problem with Autism is how others view it. I do not want to change my son because too would be to say there is something wrong with him. There is not. However, his brain works differently than mine does, because I do not have a neurological disorder. Therefore, I want to understand him better so that I can form a deeper relationship with him.

Having lived with a child with special needs, what resources have you used to help your child adapt to change?

For someone with Autism, adapting to change is extremely difficult. That is an issue we are still working on, and probably will be for a long time.

 

You have written several books, kindly share the thoughts behind the following books in two sentences each,

Shine through the darkness

This book made up primarily of poetry. It describes my struggles with anxiety, depression, isolation and my search for God and my fight to break free from these strongholds.

Inside the broken mind

This is a look inside the mind of an angry teenage girl, who feels like an outcast and grapples with feelings of emotional isolation and depression.

Finding freedom    

It is the first book in the Zion Series. Katie is the main character, and as she grows older and discovers the Elders in her cult-like community were keeping secrets, she escapes and begins a new life for herself, leaving her twin brother behind.

Heir of Zion

It is the second book in the Zion Series. In this book, Michael, Katie’s twin brother is the main character.  His normal way of life halted and a new one quickly emerged, one that had been suppressed by the Elders for far too long.

Reunited

It is the third book in the Zion Series. As Katie’s life is settling into normal after leaving Zion and the birth of her son, she receives the news that was to alter her reality on life. That was, the moment that Michael was so desperately wishing for, but never thought would come finally came. He was to make the hardest decision of his life, and if he did not choose correctly, he could lose everything, forever.

The Independence Series

My son is the main focus in the series, which were created to not only to teach self-help/reliance and daily living skills to children but also to spread autism acceptance, not to be confused with autism awareness.

 

Brittany, you have worked with children/persons with special needs, is there hope for parents living with kids with special needs?

Absolutely, but as a parent or caregiver of a person with special needs, you will need to fight hard to get the services that your loved one needs. It is a daily battle. Do not give up hope and do not stop fighting.

Brittany many would want to know more about you and your works. Kindly share your social media links or contacts to your work.

Gladly, please see my links below.

My website: http://www.brittanynicolelewis.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BLewis2008

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BLewis2008

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authorbrittanynicolelewis

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-nicole-lewis-18562815a/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15082721.Brittany_Nicole_Lewis

 

Thank you, Brittany, for allowing me to interview you despite your tight schedule. Your work and efforts will go a long way in saving many disgruntled families.

I have read and gone through the resources, and they are fantastic. They have made me change my perspective on people living with disabilities.

 

Thank you, Benedict, for sharing this important information with everyone so that we too can better understand those who are living with challenges in their lives.

Benedict is a Skilled Web Content Writer/Interviewer/Blogger and a Creative Writer.
He has worked for various websites among them Faith Filled Family Magazine and Stan ventures.
Benedict is also an upcoming Author.