Guest Speaker: Chaz Hayden
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
12 pm – 1 pm EST, held on Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
Chaz Hayden is a debut author who, like his main character, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy as an infant and spent his childhood in and out of hospitals. The First Thing About You, he says, is “not just about disability but about friendship and love and all the things that a young person hopes to experience.” Through his writing and his YouTube channel, he speaks with abundant positivity and encourages people to “Be different. Leave a trail.” Chaz Hayden grew up in New Jersey and now lives in Pennsylvania, where he spends too much time thinking about his next tattoo and what concerts to attend.
Chaz will read a chapter from his debut book, The First Thing About You. He chose this chapter because it is his favorite and it works well as a standalone piece. It also reveals the main character’s struggle to balance his disability and his teenage desires.
________________________________________
The Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance hosts a regular Lunch & Learn series featuring nationally recognized guest presenters. The series focuses on art and accessibility — a pillar of our organizational mission — and aims to inform Lehigh Valley artists, art educators, arts supporters, and arts & cultural venues about ways to make the arts more accessible to all. Lunch & Learn events are FREE for LVACA Members. Learn more about membership on our website.
These questions are optional and anonymous. Please skip any questions you do not want to answer. Your responses will not impact your participation and will not be shared with event facilitators. Any responses you choose to provide will help LVACA understand and meet the needs of our audience and provide demographic information on grant and funding reports.