Charleston native and advocate for disabled to hold book-signing

When Charleston, Mo., native Roosevelt Mitchell III was earning a master's degree in special education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, he read books by people who weren't disabled. This led Mitchell, born with a physical disability, to write "Diary of a Disability Scholar."

Scheduled to be published Saturday by Priority Books in Florissant, Mo., Mitchell said he has approached colleges in the St. Louis area, where he now lives, about using the book as a way to prepare future special-education teachers. Mitchell's regular job is teaching special education in the St. Louis School District. Before that, he was support coordinator for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, where he worked with developmentally disabled people.

Mitchell, who earned a bachelor's degree in general studies from Southeast Missouri State University, returned then to Charleston to teach and coach boys basketball.

Born missing two bones in his right arm that make his the arm shorter with only a thumb and index finger on that arm, Mitchell said, made him someone who could offer more insight into disabled people.

Along with being an author, Mitchell is a speaker and self-described "disability activist" who wrote the book not just for himself, but children with disabilities. He sees it as a way to change the world for others.

"For someone to tell me about disabilities who [doesn't] have them was kind of disrespectful, not just to me, but to others with disabilities," he said.

"After growing up and going through that, in order to change society I thought I should write a book with insight ... [about] disabled people," to try and change the world for others, Mitchell said.

"Freedom is about self-respect and self-determination. How can a child get these when every time they look around, they don't see anyone like them to model themselves after?" he added.

Mitchell said America is experiencing "a time of change."

"We are living in a time of change in America with LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] rights and immigration. Now is the time for people with disabilities to move to the forefront," he said. "That's [why it's] so important to me to get this book in as many colleges and universities as I can to bring light to these specific situations."

The book is available for preorder from Amazon.com, and a book launch is planned for 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Clara Drinkwater Newnam Library in Charleston, 105 E. Marshall St.

Rosita Lewis, director of the TRIO program at St. Louis Community College, said she has talked to Mitchell and is trying to collaborate with several school departments to sponsor him as a speaker. TRIO is an academic success program designed to help students finish an associate degree and continue to a four-year school.

She said Mitchell has "all kinds of good stuff" in his story to inspire students.

"I was overwhelmed and very ... taken by his story. A lot of people who work here are SEMO graduates, and they're familiar with him," Lewis said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

105 E. Marshall St., Charleston, Mo.