Thanks... The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council offers special thanks and appreciation to Martha Perske for the use of her extraordinary illustrations from the book: 
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Written by Robert Perske & Illustrated by Martha Perske In this warm, sensitive collection, Robert and Martha Perske offer true stories and issues to ponder, concerning Circles of Friends--friendships between people with disabilities and so-called normals. They show how these circles cut across age groups, generations, and races, and how the hearts and worldviews of everyone can be enriched. The emphasis here is on pure and simple friendship. ROBERT PERSKE is widely knownfor his work on behalf of people with disabilities. In 1968 he received a Rosemary Dybwad International Award, enabling him to travel and study attitudes toward people with disabilities throughout Sweden and Denmark. In 1987 he and Martha shared the Healing Community Arts & Letters Award at the United Nations in New York. The Perskes have collaborated on two major reports to U.S. presidents: Mental Retardation: The Leading Edge, for President Carter; and, in cooperation with others, Mental Retardation: Century of Decision, for President Nixon. MARTHA PERSKE is a freelance illustrator. Her lifelike artwork was selected by the U.S. Postal Service for a 1981 stamp commemorating the International Year of Disabled Persons. Several of her illustrations appeared in Marlo Thomas' best seller Free to Be . . . A Family. Most of the illustrations in CIRCLE OF FRIENDS were drawn from photographs of the actual people. OTHER ABINGDON BOOKS BY ROBERT PERSKE: | Home | About Us | Calendar of Events | Grants and NOFAs | Links | Publications and Products | Site Map | What's New | |