Local Author and High School Teacher Gary Harmon Book Signing, September 14, 2013

Children’s book author and high school teacher Gary Harmon will be celebrating in Dandridge his new book My Daddy Takes His Legs Off on Saturday, September 14 from 11am to 3pm at the gallery of Rachel’s Attic Antiques and the Dandridge General Store. The gallery is located at the corner of Gay and Main Streets in historic downtown Dandridge diagonally across from the Courthouse.

Mr. Harmon has written a true life story book for children. The book was inspired by his children and here is a short except from it.

….Daddy picked up Wesley and Katie Beth at day care that day. He put Wesley in his car seat, and then came around the car to help Katie Beth with her seat belt. Katie Beth did not look him in the eyes. “What’s wrong, Katie Beth?” Daddy asked. He gently raised her chin with his pinky so he could see her face.
“My friends don’t want you to pick us up anymore,” she whispered, quietly. “Why not?” Daddy asked, trying not to sound too sad. “They are scared of your arms and legs.”

Daddy needed to see her smile again, so he asked in his teasing Grouchy Bear voice, “Do I pick them up, and toss them around the room? Do I pinch them with my evil claw? Do I step on them with my giant legs?” With each question, she giggled, “No!”

Then Daddy asked the real question and this one was so important he whispered it to be sure he had her attention. “Do you want me to stop picking you up?” “No,” she assured him. “If you want me to pick you up, who can stop me? Don’t worry. They’ll get used to me in time.”

This book makes a very important point that someone that has had a physical problem is just like the rest of us, they just may look different, but they aren’t. Gary’s philosophy is that “We all have disabilities, so that term means little. Physically challenged and handicapped are terms that imply this is all a game; life is too important for me to believe that. I am a man, husband, and father. Those roles are so important I wrote a book about them. I hope you’ll read it.”

Come meet Mr. Harmon and share in his story. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 865-484-0222.