Rhonda Kay Hero-Wilson is using her life experiences to inspire others.
The author recently released her second book, “This is My Book of Poems,” in hopes to inspire others that suffer from learning disabilities.
“I suffer from dyslexia, as does several of my family members. When my first book, “She Has Awaken,” was published, I was a little embarrassed by the fact that I did not have it edited. It seemed sloppy but then I started getting feedback from others that they liked the fact that I put out an unedited version. It showed them that you can be imperfect but still follow your dreams and do what you want to do in life,” said Hero-Wilson.
Hero-Wilson’s first book was focused on her violent childhood in which her father, known for his drunken rages, shot and killed her mother when she was 3-years-old.
“I was adopted by the age of 5,” Hero-Wilson said. “My dad was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and only served 18 months in prison.”
Hero-Wilson said in her new book, the focus is on happiness and overcoming adversity.
“The poems in my first book were about my childhood and the violence my siblings and I suffered but my new book is about happiness and becoming free from all of that,” said Hero-Wilson.
Hero-Wilson will be in Bucyrus on March 9 for a book signing.
“I will be at the Pelican Coffee House from 3 to 4:30 p.m. I love to meet new people and can’t wait to come to Bucyrus,” said Hero-Wilson who lives near Marion with her husband.
Hero-Wilson said that $5 of each book she sells is going to the Buckeye fund at Ohio State University’s Marion campus.
“Dave Clayborn at OSU and I already have spoken. It’s giving back to all children since that is what I was attending college for,” said Wilson-Hero who was attending college to become a counselor for children when an accident halted that process in December of 2014.
“So it’s exciting for a child to have a chance at earning a college degree and having a career,” said Hero-Wilson. “I just want any child and any adult with disabilities to know their disabilities do not define them or stop them.”
Hero-Wilson said that people with disabilities of any type are not freaks, dumb or stupid. we are people that see the world differently, hear it differently, so hope this helps.. I’m very compassionate about this book and all those broken people, and people with disabilities… If one poem can help them see they too can follow their dream, speak up about their abuse then it’s all been worth it.
“We are people that see the world differently, hear it differently. If one poem can help one person see that they, too, can follow their dream or speak up about their abuse, then it’s all been worth it,” Hero-Wilson said. “Through the storm, God’s hands are waiting to embrace us all.”
The Pelican House is located at 108 S. Sandusky Ave.
For more information about Hero-Wilson’s books, visit https://books.google.com/books/about/This_Is_My_Book_of_Poems.html?id=c61OCwAAQBAJ.
