Hi! I’m Belinda Richardson,

I am the author of Charlie Creates in His Own Way. Since graduating from Boston University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2012, I have been working as a neurologic physical therapist.  I am passionate about helping individuals with short-term and long-term disabilities to carry out their lives with hope, empowerment, and independence. I work with individuals with conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. My work as a physical therapist has changed my life perspective. I love to help patients discover how to make the impossible possible, by thinking outside the box and embracing their abilities. So when patients ask me “if” they can return to a sport, exercise, or hobby, I work to empower them to find the “how,” as there is always a way. Each person may need to approach a task differently, but the end result is beautiful and unique in its own way. 

I began writing as a child…

and formally became published for the first time in 2020. My case report entitled “Promoting functional seated positioning and communication utilising a custom cervical and trunk orthosis in severe traumatic brain injury: a case report,” was published in the medical journal Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. This article describes the process of creatively problem solving a challenging case involving an individual’s seated posture and communication in a wheelchair. You can read the full article here.

In 2021, with the concept of creating a children’s book highlighting diversity, equity, and disability, Hollis Callas and I were awarded the Bilsky Grant through the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. This grant supported full editing of the manuscript as well as consulting and project management with our publishing team at Wise Ink Media. I hope to continue my creative writing journey with more children’s books to come. 

I am a mother of two children, ages 5 & 8.

My husband and I cherish our time reading to our children nightly as part of their bedtime routine. Writing Charlie Creates in His Own Way, for me, was a way of teaching my children about disability and diversity acceptance. Not only do I want them to feel proud to be their unique selves, but I hope this story will inspire them (and others!) to create a more accepting world for everyone.