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      About the authors:

CONNOR GIFFORD lives a full life in Nantucket where he works and volunteers for many organizations. He is a Board member of STAR, an innovative provider of services to children with special needs. He loves going to films and the theatre, collecting videos, and reading history.

“Through history we know that every character is different. As for my having Down Syndrome, it means that I have a gift. I thank God for having the opportunity to share my thoughts about our past, and my hopes for the future.”

Right now,I am living on the island of Nantucket. My parents are Julie and Chuck Gifford. I have two brothers: Cameron who is 23 and Hunter who is 22. I am 26, the oldest, and I love my life!

During my growing up years, we lived in Perrysburg, Ohio where I graduated from high school in 2002. Some subjects I did poorly in, like math and science. But, I succeeded in English, and my favorite of all, history.

It all started in 8th grade in my mid-teens.In history class, many kids were sleeping, doodling, and failing to make notes. And that’s the problem today. Kids are being taught with dates and timelines. They do not go to the past and say, “Oh, I know why they did this!” They can’t picture themselves back then.

But, I learned something from history. As I read on, and learned more, I felt that I was in their shoes. I like learning about America and people who really made a difference; who said, “Hey, here I am!” Ben Franklin, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Jefferson, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It is important that all Americans understand that what happened in the past really matters. We have to learn from our mistakes.

                                           Connor and Victoria

VICTORIA HARRIS founded Harris Group and led its creation of award-winning, Fortune 500 branding campaigns. Her documentary films have represented the United States in international festivals. She is a proud Mother, and lives in Nantucket where she is completing her first novel.

“I first met Connor Gifford through my daughter Kate, and her husband Nathan, in January of 2007. One unforgettable day, Connor and I got to talking about how much he loves American history, and that is when this book was born.

I asked Connor, “Is your ability to identify with people who
take risks—and are scorned for being ‘different’—inspired by your having Down Syndrome?” His answer was anunequivocal, “No.” Connor’s love of our nation’s history transcends any attempt to find a sentimental explanation.

Over the past ten months, we have spent countless hours discussing ideas and doing research. As Connor worked on his profiles and drawings, I designed and edited the book, and provided the headings and the sidebars.

I literally put writing my first novel on hold so that I could devote myself to this life-changing experience!

Early on, we decided to keep the making of our book “in the family.” Mom Julie, a gifted artist, helped Connor develop his original drawings, and was invaluable to us in every way imaginable, as was Dad Chuck with historic advice, and my son-in-law Nathan with the layout.