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10/03/2023 12:46 PMMADISON
Six young adults from Vista Life Innovations’ residential program will read selections from their newly published individual memoirs at the Scranton Memorial Library on Thursday, Oct. 19. These authors have each written, edited, and published their unique take on life and its lessons, according to Vista visiting teacher Jocelyn Ruggiero.
Authors Eliza Agnifilo, Chris Fasano, Catherine Golder, Ryan Hopkins, James Lynch, and David Rich will read from their works and also lead a question-and-answer session after the event. Ruggiero, a visiting teacher with Vista who instructs in both writing and theater, said this project had been an incredible journey for her and the authors.
“These are students who walk on Madison sidewalks to get the bus in the Stop & Shop parking lot, go to Willoughby’s [Coffee & Tea], and to Creations. However, in many ways, they are separate from the Madison community. Most Madison residents aren’t familiar with Vista and what it does and don’t know any Vista members,” Ruggiero said. “This memoir reading is a rare opportunity for members of the Madison community to not only meet members of the Vista community but also to get to know them not just as people with disabilities but who they are as people.”
According to Ruggiero, the students have been working since late winter to complete their projects and bring a unique perspective to the shoreline.
“This reading is the culmination of more than six months during which students worked each week in class to explore, articulate, and write and edit a series of memories that best express who they are,” she said.
Ruggiero added that Vista’s mission is to provide services and resources to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve personal success. According to Vista’s website, “Each member of the Vista community is supported as a person on their own journey toward greater self-reliance and personal achievement.”
Ruggiero said the event will be a great opportunity for residents and students to connect.
“Vista members live in Westbrook and take classes in Madison and are part of the Madison community, and this is a way for those communities to understand who Vista students are as people. It is really a great way to recognize our common humanity,” Ruggiero said. “There are a range of abilities in this class. You will hear stories that range from a simple description about a memorable Rosh Hashanah and another about swimming at the Westbrook YMCA, as well as an essay about how Star Trek’s Jean-Luc Picard helped a student overcome his fear when his father was ill in the hospital, and an essay about a beloved teacher.”
Ruggiero added, “The students are very excited and proud, and they can’t wait to share all of their hard work. This has been an accomplishment for all of us. It’s not always an easy task to become a writer, and for the first time, it is really brave. They truly are a great group to stand up in a giant room full of strangers and read, that is very brave,” explained Ruggiero. “Joining together members of the Vista Community with the Madison community is going to be a really exciting time. Everyone coming together to support the authors and join together to share experiences.”
Each author has published their own book, so each title is unique and singularly their own, said Ruggiero. The group has also practiced extensively on public speaking and expression of their feelings and intention of their works.
“Each student has an individually printed book. Some have long stories; others have shorter stories. These are memoirs, not autobiographies, so they are all different,” Ruggiero said. “Each one is different, reflecting who they are and their abilities and what inspired them.”
Books can be ordered through Vista Life Innovations at www.vistalifeinnovations.org. The reading event will be held at the Scranton Memorial Library on Thursday, Oct. 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.