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Kellie Greenwald, who has Down syndrome, shares her secrets of happiness
Oct 8, 2008 at 7:25 AM
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Kellie Greenwald talks about her new book at The John Peterson Hall in Ross. Greenwald, 29, is the author and illustrator of Kellie s Book, the story of her life with Down syndrome. Kellie Greenwald smiles in delight.

"I'm famous," she says.

Greenwald, 29, a resident of The Cedars in Ross, is enjoying her day in the sun - as author and illustrator of "Kellie's Book," the story of her life with Down syndrome.

The book's subtitle is "The Art of the Possible," and her mom Carla and dad Hank Greenwald, retired play-by-play announcer for the San Francisco Giants, say it is a testimony to how far such a person can go, given early treatment.

Syracuse professor of education Corinne Smith calls Kellie Greenwald's book "a celebration of life - a reflection of life's joys from the perspective of a young woman with Down syndrome."

And joyous it is. Greenwald has registered her happiest moments in neatly written

A drawing by artist Kellie Greedwald from her book "Kellie's book: The art of the possible" of her cat Sweet Pea.paragraphs and brightly colorful Prisma-Color paintings. In one painting, she is playing baseball at College of Marin. "I like playing with my friends." In another, she is at her high school prom: "I feel pretty in my new dress and my flowers."

"I'm very happy I wrote this book," says Greenwald, face wreathed in smiles.

The book was created with guidance from her art teacher, Susan Vickery, at the Victory Center for Arts and Communications in Ross where Greenwald goes every weekday for classes. "Kellie is a total colorist," Vickery said. "She needed no coaching at all in terms of colors or of composition. She had a very natural talent."

The Victory Center is operated by The Cedars, which began in 1919 as a school for the mentally challenge and grew into an institution serving developmentally disabled with a variety of programs. Greenwald lives at a Cedars residence, John Peterson Hall.

The book took more than two years to complete. When her dad wrote his own autobiography, "This Copyrighted Broadcast," in 1999, she wanted to write one, too. "Now that the book is out, I'm thrilled," he said. A special moment was seeing it listed on Amazon.com, "and there was Kellie, with all the other authors."

"I'm a very proud mother," says Carla.

Hank Greenwald and Carla Greenwald listen as their daughter Kellie Greenwald talks about her new book she wrote. (Special to the IJ/Christine H. Wetzel)

Vickery praises Kellie Greenwald for her tenacity in completing the book. "She was very determined to do it right."

It was published by Rayve Productions in Windsor, owned by Norman and Barbara Ray. Barbara Ray hopes Greenwald's book will help educate readers about those who have Down syndrome. Her grandchildren, for instance, "didn't know they were real people."

The book was printed - full color - in Hong Kong and costs $24.95. It can be ordered at any bookstore. Her parents hope to place it in schools. Part of the proceeds will go to the Victory Center.

Seventeen days after her birth in San Francisco, Greenwald's mother took her to the Easter Seals Society where she was enrolled in physical therapy,

The cover of Kellie Greedwald's book.

occupational therapy and speech classes. She attended the Living and Learning Center in San Francisco as a small child, and learned sign language, reading and writing from a speech therapist provided by the Elks Club of California and Hawaii.

She was mainstreamed through elementary and high school, and lived at home until she was 18. Thereafter, she lived in a group home in Corte Madera, operated by Marin Association for Retarded Citizens, now called Lifehouse. She took special classes at College of Marin, and received a certificate of graduation in May 2000.

For a time she worked at Longs Drug Store in San Anselmo and at Pacific Cafe in Kentfield, folding napkins and dusting tables.

Meanwhile, she traveled often to baseball games with her dad - he also worked for the New York Yankees and the Oakland A's - and to spring training with the Giants. She became an inveterate fan, and counts players and broadcasters among her closest friends.

A drawing by artist Kellie Greedwald from her book.

Other people know how to "work a room," says her dad. "She knew how to work a ballpark."

Former Giants outfielder Chili Davis is her favorite ballplayer: He held her in his arms when she was a baby. Tom Breneman, who broadcasts for the Cincinatti Reds, is her "first love."

Greenwald still spends big chunks of time with her family, and goes with them each year to Florida, where they have a second home. She also visits her brother Doug, a broadcaster for the Fresno Grizzlies, a Triple A farm club for the Giants. "I put the headset on and we do an interview."

Doug has been "very good with her," says father Hank. "When they were young, he would needle her, and her need to respond really helped her develop speech." He emphasizes the need for early stimulation and training. "Our message to parents of Down syndrome children - get them into a program as early as possible."

Though Kellie Greenwald confesses to moments of sadness and frustration, she considers herself fortunate, enjoying her new independence as a resident of The Cedars, with her own brightly furnished room, a new set of friends, her own computer, her guitar. "I love playing very softly for my friends."

"I'm famous," she reiterates. "I'm very smart."

Meanwhille, she enjoys the whirl of book signings. "And very modest," says her father, smiling broadly.

........................................................................................................................................................................................

Kellie Greenwald is a talented young woman whose art pulsates with energy and love. Her remarkable abilities and joyous celebration of life are an inspiration to all who know her, and Kellie is a perfect example of how much can be accomplished by a person born with Down syndrome.

Kellie Greenwald's inspiring autobiography is written with straightforward sincerity. She invites readers of all ages and interests to celebrate life with her as she chronicles events and emotions that each of us may experience. Getting to know Kellie is to understand that the face of Down syndrome is another precious face of humanity -- different, and yet the same.

Using a vibrant, bold palette, Kellie's illustrations are as appealing and inviting as Kellie herself. Her drawings express the sparkling vitality of her personality as they graphically complement her text. Kellie is a true colorist. With an innate sense of composition she renders her drawings with elegant simplicity.

Kellie loves introducing herself to us and, as we read the last page, we feel as if we've been given a great big literary hug that is straight from her heart.

Enthusiasm, tenacity, and sincerity flood each moment of Kellie Greenwald's life, and they unmistakedly shine through in Kellie's Book.

Kellie's Book
is a source of hope for people with developmental challenges, their families, extended families, providers, and educators. It is a testament to the fact that when children know they are utterly loved and supported, there is no end to what they can achieve and no end to what they give back by uplifting the lives of those around them.

"Kellie Greenwald has touched my life just like she touches everyone who meets her: with love, happiness, hope and belief in all that is good in the human spirit. Let her do the same for you!" -- Thom Brennaman, Broadcaster for the Cincinnati Reds

"Kellie's Book fully captures the warmth, charm and perseverence of this remarkable personality. Kellie's varied interests and her love for family and friends shine through each unique page and make it easy to see why she is a shining star to those of us who are lucky to know her and be her friend. And she really knows baseball!"
-- Joe Castiglione, Broadcaster for the Boston Red Sox

"I feel lucky to have seen life through the eyes of Kellie Greenwald. Her innocence is warm, her honesty delightful, and her enthusiasm makes a bear hug look like a kiss on the cheek."
-- Mike Krukow, Broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants

"My broadcast partner, Mike Krukow, and I have at least five Kellie Greenwald stories we can tell to get ourselves out of a bad mood. In the middle of a long road trip, tired and grumpy, we will say: 'Let's bring Kellie in from the bullpen.' It works every time. Kellie Greenwald is someone everyone should know."
-- Duane Kuiper, Broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants

"I have known Kellie Greenwald since the day she arrived on Planet Earth. Since then it's been Planet Kellie, we're all just living on it. As you'll take from this book, she is galaxies ahead of all of us."
-- Doug Greenwald, Brother of the author and broadcaster for the Fresno Grizzlies

Part of the proceeds from the sales of Kellie's Book will be donated to The Cedars of Marin, a facility for adults with developmental disablilties.

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