A free book launch party for Dorothy Paad's Dance Your Dance, Sing Your Song, based on her positive experience overcoming challenges related to cerebral palsy and other factors to achieve her goal of taking dance classes at NMU, will be held Thursday, Sept. 23. The event is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at NMU's Forest Roberts Theatre. It will feature a dance performance by NMU students, a book signing, light snacks and refreshments, and posters and other related items available for purchase. Masks are required.
“Dance Your Dance, Sing Your Song is a feel-good story that I hope will inspire both children and adults to forget the naysayers and pursue their dreams,” said Paad. “I've faced many challenges in my life, and I created this book to remind us that through it all, we only need to listen to our own hearts and be ourselves.”
Paad's book revolves around Dorothy, a smart and sassy moose who struggles with first-day jitters as a college student preparing to study dance at NMU. Following an unexpected event and years of being bullied by others, Dorothy must confront her self-doubt, fear of judgement and physical challenges to break free of barriers and pursue her dreams. As she begins to understand her potential with the help of her animal family and friends, she frees herself from all that is holding her back, motivating others to overcome their challenges and find their purpose.
After successfully enrolling in NMU Theatre and Dance classes, Paad faced another challenge in 2020: a pandemic. Immunocompromised and isolated in her home to protect her health, she struggled with new fears and the loss of her newfound purpose within NMU's Theatre and Dance program. In the midst of uncertainty about the future, Paad was inspired by family and friends to explore writing.
Dance Your Dance, Sing Your Song is Paad's first book. It will be available locally at Barnes & Noble NMU Bookstore, Snowbound Books and all Snyder Drugs locations. In addition to her new role as author at DEP Books, LLC, Paad is the inspiration behind the Caregiver Incentive Project (CIP), the nonprofit organization focused on improving the lives of the cared for by supporting caregivers.
