Growing up, Mark Johnson was smaller thandifferent fromhis peers, which made him self-conscious. But after a diving accident left him paralyzed, he was different in a new way.
Living with a disability, Mark struggled with the social attitudes that labeled people with disabilities as inferior. He took the prejudicial treatment personally and decided to do something about it.
In 1983 he had the opportunity to co-found ADAPT, a grassroots network of people with disabilities that played a role in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Confronting – and changing – social attitudes certainly requires boldness and tactics such as civil disobedience; Marks arrest record is proof of this. However, Mark is better known for his engaging style that puts people at ease and encourages them to consider the benefits of accepting our differences.
Part spiritual memoir, I Love Today is Marks reflection on his life as a son, husband, and father; as a person with a disability; as a community organizer; and as a child of God. It examines the fears behind our social attitudes and offers insights for a more inclusive world. Along the way, it inspires us all to learn to love today.
About the author
Mark Johnson is a nationally-known disability rights activist and community organizer. He currently serves as director of advocacy for the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2007 Henry B. Betts Award, the New Mobility Person of the Year in 2001, and the National Council on Independent Living Distinguished Service Award in 1990. He has a love of family, “sand and surf, ” classic rock, Cher, and the Food Network, especially “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” To learn more about Mark, visit: www.facebook.com/markleejohnson. Kristen Vincent has always loved theology, social justice, and writing. Thus it was a dream come true for her to have the opportunity to blend these passions into a book with Mark. Still, in the six years it took Mark to publish this book, Kristen authored two award-winning books: A Bead and a Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide to Protestant Prayer Beads (Upper Room Books, 2013) and Another Bead, Another Prayer: Devotions for Use with Protestant Prayer Beads (Upper Room Books, 2014). Kristen is also a freelance writer and blogger, business owner, coordinator for The ADA Legacy Project, wife, and mom. She loves dark chocolate and continues her lifelong quest to find the perfect chocolate mousse. To learn more about Kristen, visit www.prayerworksstudio.com.
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