Sept. 9, 2008

The Library of Michigan today announced that author, social worker and motivational speaker Geri Taeckens will present her powerful story of life, loss and adaptation during a special presentation ? "Journey to Acceptance" ? on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Lake Huron Room of the Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., downtown Lansing. The presentation (including readings and songs) is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, call (800) 992-9012.

Taeckens, a regular patron of the Library of Michigan's Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (SBPH), will share her personal journey, spanning several decades, including her struggle with losing her vision (depicted in her autobiographical novel, "Blind Man's Bluff") and her eventual move to acceptance of herself and her many abilities.

"Because Geri is inspiring on many different levels, her story is one that I think will resonate with people in many walks of life," said State Librarian Nancy Robertson. "She has a unique way of captivating an audience, engaging people in her narrative, and tapping into that universal desire for acceptance."

Susan Chinault, manager of the Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, said that Taeckens is a terrific example of someone who has made the most of a challenging situation and embraced the many resources available to her. "It can be frightening to realize your vision is fading and will eventually be gone, but it helps to know that many people have faced that struggle and have found empowering ways to adapt and thrive," said Chinault. "The resources and tools available through SBPH are here to help Michigan residents restore a sense of personal power and quality of life."

Taeckens' books and CDs will be available for purchase after her presentation in the Michigan Historical Museum store, inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center where the Library of Michigan is housed.

Geri Taeckens is also the author of two children's books/CDs: "Out of the Muck Grows a Lily and a Frog" and "Walking Along with My Dog." She works as a school social worker and runs her own business, Accessibilities Educational-Therapeutic Services, and is the founder and operator of the Iris Seemore Animal Health Fund, Inc., a nonprofit organization that raises money for service animals that are ill. She is the mother of a grown son and lives with her husband and dog guide in the Upper Peninsula.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Historical Center. To learn more about the Library of Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).