The importance of friendship led Elisa Linovitz Snader, a first-grade teacher of 18 years at Village Meadows Elementary in Phoenix, Arizona to publish a book about disabilities after nearly 20 years of trying to do so.

Snader recently published, "The Wheelchair," a story about a boy that goes to school and sees a girl in a wheelchair and is scared because she appears different. The boy learns that the girl is much more than "the wheelchair." The story is a wonderful example of the importance of looking beyond differences.

Snader's experience working with people with disabilities began with a friend in college, Kimberly Robb, the illustrator of the book, who passed away last year. "Kim was in a wheelchair most of her life from muscular dystrophy," Snader said. "Kim was a great artist even though she could only move from her elbows down. I sent the book to many publishers and was turned down. A few said, because of the pictures."

Snader and Robb met at the University of Arizona. Every morning Snader rode her bike to Robb's apartment to assist her in getting ready for school. The two kept in close contact over the years.

The lesson learned from Snader's book also extends to her classroom. Each year Snader teaches a handicapped awareness unit. "I want (children) to know everyone is different. To not judge people by the way they look. I want students to learn to accept a person by looking at what a person is like on the inside. I also would like them to be as helpful to others with disabilities as much as possible." Said Snader, "I have them perform activities to show what it would be like not to be able to use their arms, legs, and even fingers. I teach them basic sign language, and even have them feel Braille. I'd love to have someone donate a child size wheelchair to add to my lesson."

Snader continues, "I am tired of how I see adults act poorly around people that are disabled. I am hoping if children learn how to accept others with disabilities, it will last for a lifetime," discussing the impact she hopes to make with this book.

For more information about Eliza Linovitz Snader, please visit the AZCentral.com Web site [http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0209phx-wheelchair0209.html] or if you would like to purchase her book for $10, please visit the Authorhouse.com Web site [http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~49253.aspx].