In an effort to offer support and encouragement to others and their families, in dealing with a debilitating illness, Peter has released two beautifully written books of poems and prose. It is his hope that his works will provide understanding and hope to all.

His first book is titled, 'DANCING WITH FEAR, REJECTION, DOUBT AND HOPE,' and his second was just recently released; 'A POTPOURRI OF POEMS.'

Although Peter's speaking voice has been affected by his illness, his message is loud and clear in his poetry and prose.

Peter is the youngest of seven children, and his loving parents, and supportive brothers and sisters never gave him special treatment. Regardless of where he was, or what he was doing, he has ignored his illness and always tried to fit in, which has had quite an impact on others.

When asked if Peter thought of himself as an advocate, he had this to say:

"I guess in some respects, I am an advocate, and as such I must give credit to the two people who most kept me going; my father, for inspiring my intellect, and my mother for teaching me perseverance. My mother is a retired teacher of high school age Special Needs students.
She has told me that it was my being born with Cerebral Palsy that drove her to become a Special Needs teacher. My upbringing was at a time when California school programs were just beginning to attempt to integrate special needs students into the general school populace. In 1967, when I entered kindergarten, my mother insisted that I be mainstreamed by my school district. So, my being an advocate today is a direct result of the encouragement and support I received from my parents and six siblings from a very early age. I began to believe I could do almost anything, and it has never stopped."

When Peter attended elementary school in Arlington, Mass., he was the first disabled student in the student body. It was an eye-opening experience for Peter and the other students. It was those brave efforts in the early 1970's that helped both staff and students open doors of acceptance to future disabled students.

Peter's disabilities were further complicated when he acquired Epilepsy during Junior High. But that had little effect on his attitude by the time he entered high school. He went on to become an initiating and charter member of a club whose main purpose was to integrate disabled students on a recreational and social level. Peter sat on a panel of several diversely disabled students in his social science class. The group (comprised of both disabled and non-disabled) visited high schools in their school district and spoke on how disabled students contributed to class discussions, and other students learned to support their disabled classmates. They also addressed how the non-disabled students would handle emergency situations, when they arose.
 

In junior college, Peter spoke to Psychology classes about his illness and how he had learned to cope and fit in, and he has continued to do so over the last twenty-plus years.

Peter has no problem in answering questions and participating in panel discussions about his disabilities. He tends to have a nervous frog throat when speaking with strangers, but given a minute or two of talking, and mutual patience, the frog usually subsides and he is more clearly understood. His commentary will be an inspiration to all.

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