PE O P L E
by Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@myjarrell.com images courtesy Ashton Miles
Mom-Turned-Author Changing Hearts & Minds
D
on’t judge a book by its cover” is the message Ashton Miles hopes readers take away from Flower on the Farm, a heartwarming tale of a special calf who is misunderstood by the other farm animals but ultimately discovers how unique we all are. It is the same struggle Ashton’s daughter Kaedence has faced as a child with nonverbal autism. “With her getting older, we do come across a lot of judgment sometimes. People will see how she acts and you can tell judgment is placed,” Ashton says. Raising 6-year-old Kaedence alongside her twin sister and 8-year-old brother, who are not neurodiverse, has been difficult to navigate. “It’s definitely been a struggle trying to differentiate the way I react and treat them and how we co-exist as a family,” Ashton explains. Kaedence’s sensory issues prevent them from doing typical family activities like visiting the park, and communication involves letting her choose between foods and activities by showing her pictures of her favorite foods and movies. Writing a story about Kaedence’s unique identity and struggles was never part of the plan. “I wrote it one day and it just kind of happened,” Ashton says. Her favorite part of writing Flower on the Farm has been bringing Kaedence to life on the page. “Flower has zero shame in who she is and so does Kaedence,” she says. Even though the book is for kids, she says the message is for all ages. “Maybe we shouldn’t be so judgmental and quick to assume how people are. It doesn’t even pertain to someone with autism. We should be welcoming to everybody.” Flower on the Farm is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
12
M A R C H 2022 M Y JA R R ELL M O NT HLY
