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Seeing Heroes in a Different Light
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The human face may be the
single physical characteristic
by which humans are most
identified. The organs that
comprise a face – eyes, nose,
mouth, ears – offer not only a glimpse
into who we are, but also help us to
make sensory connections with the world
around us. Imagine the isolation felt by
individuals whose faces are different.
In Heroes with a Thousand Faces,
Notre Dame graduate Laura Malee
Greenwald ‘97 explores the stories of
individuals with life-altering facial
differences.
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Through the duality of heartbreaking stories and amazing abilities to overcome, Greenwald urges compassionate treatment and understanding for this special group of people who are often shunned by society while struggling with the personal issues of their medical conditions. The vignettes reinforce two basic childhood lessons: treat others as you would like to be treated and don’t judge a book by its cover.
“If I could communicate one idea to all readers of my book, it would be to tell mothers and fathers not to quiet their children when encountering someone with facial differences. Talk about facial differences openly and encourage compassion in your children.”
Heroes with a Thousand Faces is available now through Amazon.comand Barnesandnoble.com. It is expected to be on the shelves at Barnes & Noble by early spring.
Greenwald is a graduate of Notre Dame’s Weekend College program with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She credits her Notre Dame education with giving her the confidence necessary to undertake such a large project as a book. “To my mind, the education I received at Notre Dame is priceless.”
Greenwald is currently a manager of Consumer and Physician Relations at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Her daughter, Jillian, is a freshman at Notre Dame.
Mary Elizabeth Sokol Cotleur ‘98 is the director of alumni relations and associate director of advancement at Notre Dame College.
Young Author’s First Book Aims to Inspire Others
By Steve Ruic
Eye Has Not Seen, sixteen-year-old-author Henry G. Stratmann’s first book, opens with a page of acknowledgments in which he thanks his mother Maryellen Amato Stratmann ‘76, for teaching him to “Think outside the box.”
“That was something I learned from being a student at Notre Dame, and because of that, he chose blue and gold for the book cover,” said the proud alumna and mother.
Eye Has Not Seen is a collection of short stories written in the genre of flash fiction. Works of flash fiction are structured using 1,000 words or less. “It’s perfect for kids with ADHD,” said Maryellen.
The topic of ADHD is very important to the Stratmanns. “Henry was diagnosed with severe ADHD in first grade,” she recalled. “He wants to use this book to inspire other students who struggle with ADHD to use their God-given talents.”
While Henry was busy with the creative process, the young author received help from his mom on some of the more labor-intensive tasks involved with publishing a book. Maryellen proofread the stories and connected the project with a small local publisher, Starship Press (www.starshippress.com).
“I loved Notre Dame,” said Maryellen. “I couldn’t have reached my goals without it. Now that Henry is a junior in high school, and looking at Colleges, he is definitely going to consider going to Notre Dame College.”
In the meantime, Henry remains focused on his writing. “He almost has enough for a second book,” said his mom.
For more information about Eye Has Not Seen, visit www.starshippress.com.
Steve Ruic is the writer and editor at Notre Dame College.