Rewriting the Rules: An Interview with Author Danna Zeiger

As someone with cerebral palsy who runs a lab to help others with cerebral palsy, Dr. Kathleen Friel is rewriting the rules, defying expectations, and opening up new possibilities for herself and others. Rewriting the Rules: How Dr. Kathleen Friel Created New Possibilities for Brain Research and Disability is the incredible true story of how a determined scientist rewrote the rules and followed her dreams. Clever illustrations from Josée Bisaillon accompany the first ever picture book about Dr. Kathleen Friel.

Today author Danna Zeiger shares what it was like to accompany Dr. Friel in the lab, her motivations for writing the book, and more.

Given your personal connection to Kathleen, how did she (and her family react) to the news that you were writing a book about her?

I asked Kathleen a long time ago, and she seemed both tickled and flattered, but I’m not sure she gave it much thought for a while. She was a busy researcher! I was at the beginning of my writing career and transitioning from my professor life, so she may not have known whether it would even become a reality. After signing the contract with Lerner, I reached back out to Kathleen. However, it wasn’t until Lerner’s amazing editing team (and the thoughtful sensitivity readers—what a group!) were finished with all edits that I sent her the actual manuscript. Kathleen wrote back in disbelief with all caps and many excited emojis! I think I can safely say that we were all ecstatic about Kathleen’s reaction.

The real cherry on top was when I invited Kathleen and her parents over to my home for brunch. I had a digital copy of the book with illustrated spreads projected to the TV screen, waiting to share. The experience of standing and reading this book to the very characters I wrote about was… surreal. Immediately upon seeing the cover, her parents remarked that Josée (who is incredible!) captured Kathleen’s stance perfectly. They teared up as they reminisced about how, in those days, it was common for doctors to recommend sending young children like Kathleen away to an institution, and how challenging it was to fight against this norm. They also laughed at many points. And best of all, Kathleen clapped so many times during the book. Having my kids and my husband—my greatest cheerleaders in life—participate in this core memory was a highlight of my year, at least.

What is the most shocking story of ableism that didn’t make it into the book?

There are a surprising number of stories to choose from, sadly. One of the hardest tasks in writing the book was selecting which stories to feature. I think the most shocking story, which would have been a little frightening for kiddos, was when Kathleen was on a NYC train and a stranger pretended to be her chaperone. No one listened to her calls for help! I remember watching the event unfold live, as she was texting friends and family for help and wisely (because she is brilliant) live-posting on social media. Eventually, the conductor finally believed her and she was freed from this horrible stranger… but it was scary. And sadly, that is one of many such stories Kathleen has shared with me over the years. On a day-to-day basis, there are less dramatic but also frustrating experiences for Kathleen, especially when people turn to her friends and family about Kathleen’s needs/rides/food, etc., instead of speaking directly to her.

What was it like to work with Kathleen in a research lab?

Kathleen has an amazing sense of humor, and she is wicked-smaht, as they say in New England. (She actually does not have a New England accent despite her Cape Cod family roots! She was born in MA but grew up in Florida.) She’s quiet but when she speaks—or writes—you can be sure to be blown away by her wit, be it in colloquial humor or technical science jargon. Kathleen is also incredibly kind and socially clever. When I started in the lab as a college student, I was intimidated and overwhelmed. Kathleen was patient and answered my endless questions, helped me understand the papers that our research was based on, trained me on lab techniques, and showed me the ropes. When I practiced my senior thesis presentation, it was Kathleen who quickly caught a blaring (and embarrassing) mistake with a reversed spinal cord and kindly made sure I corrected it!

Why did you decide to write this book?

Kathleen is the first person (and friend) with cerebral palsy I met in academia. Kathleen herself often remarks how rare it is to see someone like herself in any facet of the science world, even though CP is the most common cause of pediatric motor disability. Talking to my kids about Kathleen’s achievements and her impact on me made me realize that Kathleen’s story is important for all kids (and their grownups!) to read about. Challenging our ideas of what is possible (which Kathleen has done in spades) and rewriting our own rules is important for every single child, and I have seen these changes in my own kids as a result of learning about Kathleen’s story. And, no less important is the idea that Kathleen serves both as a window and a mirror for kids to see themselves—or others with disabilities—achieve their dreams. The way we as a society treat people with disabilities needs a lot of work, and my hope is that by reading with kids about Kathleen’s experiences—as well as her direct messages to all of us—we can begin to change this.

I appreciate all the incredible reviews and wonderful reception the book has received thus far! Reviews from individuals in the cerebral palsy community, in particular, exemplify the need to introduce Kathleen to the world. To think that perhaps, kids’ needs are being met—either as a window or as a mirror—with this book, make me especially emotional.

Reviews like Kevin Alexander’s on Goodreads:

“…This book carried the underlying message that willpower and determination can conquer even the most daunting limitations it just takes a bit of an adaption. This Book’s message was inspirational to me as I also have Cerebral Palsy. Therefore, I think Rewriting The Rules is essential reading as it gives representation to individuals with CP. As I have not found very many books that tackle the introduction to CP as well as this book did.

Overall, this was a wonderful book and I wholeheartedly recommend reading this book. This book will stay in my mind for years to come.”

How does Kathleen’s brain research connect to her life story?

Kathleen has shown through her research that experiences drive changes in the brain; in other words, our brains are able to change in response to the experiences we give ourselves. Even with brain injuries, the brain is able to make new connections, even if the old ones remain injured, so that a person can improve. This is an impactful message for everyone: we all have the capacity for change, and we must make these opportunities available for all.

Praise for Rewriting the Rules

“The visual representation of Friel and her life experiences is superbly rendered in fluid and bright images that highlight her accomplishments as a differently abled person rather than a singular focus on cerebral palsy. . . A must-purchase for all libraries as it reflects the best that modern biographies for young readers have to offer.”—starred, School Library Journal

“This stellar biography checks multiple positive role model boxes: a challenge-defying, determined, rule-breaking, problem-solving woman of STEM.”—Booklist

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