Moose Javian author Lindsey Stephenson set up a booth at the International Early Learning Conference to sell her book, My Mama is a Superhero!, and said attending, listening to the speakers, and networking made the conference a “transformative experience.”
“I’m Lindsey Stephenson — a proud Moose Jaw mom, wife, and author — passionate about sharing our family’s story to celebrate resilience, inclusion, and the power of perspective,” Stephenson said.
She wrote her book after her daughter told a friend that Stephenson’s disability — she has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair — was not a limitation, but a superpower.
“Ella had to explain that ‘My mom can do anything that your mom can do — she just does it sitting down. Her wheelchair is a neat tool she gets to use as a result of her disability.’”
That sentiment fit in well at the International Early Years Conference, where she heard from childhood learning researchers like Dr. Sarah Aiono, Dr. Layne Pethick, and Dr. Jean Clinton, and from speakers like Kim Clairy, who is autistic.
“(Dr. Layne Pethick) came over to my booth and we were discussing the book and the story behind it,” Stephenson explained. “We got into a conversation about inclusion and creating inclusion for all of the kids in the classroom. I explained to him I do this activity sometimes with the kids, where it’s like wearing a t-shirt.
“When you have a disability, lots of people make assumptions, based on your disability, of your inability. So, it’s kind of like wearing a t-shirt and on the front having everything that you struggle with. And everything that you’re proud of or have accomplished is written on the back. And when you’re sitting down in your wheelchair, people don’t always get to see the back of your shirt.”
Stephenson said she and Pethick talked about the universal truth that everyone faces challenges and adversities, not just people with disabilities.
“Even kids that are fully able-bodied or don’t have disabilities can relate to the struggles of other kids in their classroom, or if there are kids in the classroom that are facing some sort of disability, they can see how much they can relate to them.”
That conversation was one of several that stuck with her, but Stephenson called Kim Clairy’s presentation on the final day of the conference a “standout moment” that reinforced her belief that the greatest barriers are often assumptions about disability rather than physical limitations.
“It was incredibly impactful. Normally, you don’t get to hear the perspective of an individual with autism — it’s outside individuals making assessments and things like that on their limitations or abilities,” she explained. “So, to hear from Kim herself and everything that she’s gone through and some of the limitations that were placed on her and how she’s broken those or far exceed them... She’s been able to help other people, open that communication, and see things from a different perspective.”
My Mama is a Superhero! became a #1 Amazon bestseller when it was released in 2022. It can be purchased on Amazon, or directly from Stephenson, who offers bulk order discounts, collaboration on fundraising initiatives, and author readings.
Contact her at lindseycstephenson@hotmail.com for inquiries.