Some of the best forms of inspiration come from within. That happens to be the case with Suneel Ram, a 26-year-old Western New York resident who lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD*). Suneel’s new graphic novel, titled Soaring, A Story of Courage, was co-written with Anthony E. Zuiker, the creator of the CSI television series. Together, the pair have come up with an inspirational story that is considered an invaluable lesson for young readers who are dealing with negative and foreboding issues such as suicide, body image, and bullying, all of which are more prevalent than ever due to social media. The book also intends to provide readers with a better understanding DMD, and how people facing long term illness live their lives with grace and hope.
For Suneel, Soaring has given him an outlet to express his bottled-up feelings. He says that “living with a debilitating disease was nothing compared to the unbearable pain of loneliness and being seen as different by others.” But in the face of loneliness and bullying has come a book about heroics, hope, and happiness.
It was through discussions and interviews with Suneel and his family that Zuiker was able to poetically capture their innermost sentiments and emotions.
“Writing this book and putting the depth of my experiences on paper was challenging, but I hope my journey inspires others to rely on spirituality, friends and family when faced with chronic illness. I believe we all serve a special purpose to help each other grow and be there for one another and I hope that this book will help able-bodied teens gain more empathy for their peers who are growing up with a disability,” said Suneel. “This book is a testament to my family and friends who have helped me to keep pursuing my dreams. This book is also dedicated to my deepest wish that one day researchers will find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.”
Despite Suneel dealing with intense hardships such as living with broken bones and extreme muscle weakness, and not being able to play like other children, he ultimately managed to overcome these barriers, by concentrating on graduating from high school and attending college. The book is his way of sharing his dreams with others who are also dealing with their own hardships.
Anthony E. Zuiker is the co-founder, publisher and creative director of Zuiker Press, which published Soaring. Zuiker Press was founded by Michelle and Anthony Zuiker to champion the voices of young authors. Zuiker Press graphic novels are in over 200 schools nationwide.
“Suneel is an extraordinary young man with an inspiring life story. He puts the capital ‘C’ in courage and the capital ‘S’ in soaring,” said Zuiker, who worked with Fantoons Animation Studios to design the graphics. “He’s changed my life by seeing the world through his humbled lens. Our hope is his graphic novel does the same for every reader on the planet.”
*DMD is the most lethal genetic childhood disease, which targets predominantly young boys, without regard to ethnicity, and leads to death from respiratory or heart failure by their mid 20’s. In addition to the physical challenges surrounding this disease, those with DMD suffer from learning disabilities, social isolation, and behavioral issues as well. Symptoms usually appear in male children before age six and may be visible in early infancy. Eventually this weakness spreads to the arms, neck, and other areas. Later symptoms may include abnormal bone development that leads to skeletal deformities, including curvature of the spine. Due to progressive deterioration of muscle, loss of movement occurs eventually leading to paralysis.
‘Soaring’ includes a parent resource page that provides information on DMD to discuss with children by Dr. Neera Gulati, Suneel’s mother and family medicine physician. She is the founder of Suneel’s Light Foundation, has traveled the world to advance medical research for DMD, and has lobbied policy makers and healthcare providers on the importance of medical research and funding for DMD.
The book is being distributed by Simon and Schuster and available at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Books-A-Million, Bookshop, IndieBound, Indigo, and a few local bookstores to be announced soon. It retails for $12-15 depending on hard or softback and is available as an eBook.
‘Soaring’ was made possible by a financial support of Suneel’s Light, a local foundation that supports critical research that will lead to treatment of DMD and to increase public awareness of the genetic disease, which is named after Ram. Both the foundation and Zuiker are working to raise additional funding from other foundations, medical institutions, individual philanthropists, and corporations to be able to publish more copies of the book so it can be donated to school districts and nonprofits in both Western New York and across the county to help students understand what DMD is and how it impacts the young boys that suffer from the genetic disease. Those interested in supporting the initiative, please contact Zuiker Press at zuikerpress.com.
The post Suneel Ram Teams up with Anthony E. Zuiker, creator of the CSI franchise, to release graphic novel. appeared first on Buffalo Rising.