A to Zoey

This alphabet book was lovingly created for her granddaughter, Zoey, by a former preschool teacher, in the midst of her progressive decline from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Despite the overwhelming day to day challenges of living with ALS, author Stephanie Joe typed out the text of A to Zoey using a trackball and the remaining strength in her foot. By the time her daughter, Allison, completed the illustrations and compilation of the book, just in time for Stephanie’s 64th birthday, she had lost all of her mobility, speech, and swallowing abilities, and was communicating via augmentative speech device and a head mouse. Stephanie passed away a few months later after a four year struggle with ALS with the satisfaction of having shared this book with her friends, family, and three year old granddaughter, Zoey. A to Zoey contains small, precious moments and poignant memories combined with fun, whimsical imagery. It is a testament to the power of love and the strength of will in the face of tremendous loss and debilitating illness. A to Zoey is Stephanie’s legacy to her friends and family and it was her hope that it could be enjoyed with other little ones as well. A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the ALS Association.