Local authors make a 'pointe'

WANTAGE — Breelagh DuHaime and Rachael Klein know being in a wheelchair has its challenges, but that a persistent, diligent and creative person can overcome many of them.

They know this well because their good friend — and DuHaime's boyfriend — Nicholas D’Agostino has been in a wheelchair since he was 6 years old. But what about, for example, a girl who wants to be a ballerina?

DuHaime and Klein have tackled that very question in their new book, "Rollina the Original Ballerina-Auditions". The book, written for young people, tells the story of a girl in a wheelchair, Rollina, who tries out for a dancing part in a ballet. Rollina deals with her initial disappointment when at first she doubts that she can succeed, then finally triumphs after a talk with her teacher.

“I was always interested in helping younger kids,” said DuHaime, the 22-year-old author of the book. “I wanted to give young girls confidence in all parts of life.”

She points out the book is directed to any reader, and provides encouragement and inspiration for reaching any goal.

DuHaime, a native of Charlotte, N.C., and a 12-year Hardyston resident, met D’Agostino and Klein at Sussex County Community College four years ago, when DuHaime was taking some courses in psychology and early childhood development. Klein, who later went on to graduate from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck with a BA in Arts Management, did her first two years at SCCC. The friends met in Cru, a religious group that meets on campus. Klein’s artistic talent meant DuHaime didn’t have to look far for someone to illustrate the book.

“I did the illustrations in water color outlines with markers,” says Klein. Klein, who interns at an art gallery in Hamburg and specializes in watercolors and acrylic, made 19 images for the book. She is a graduate of Veritas Christian Academy in Sparta and resides in Wantage.

"Rollina the Original Ballerina- Auditions" was published in mid-October through CreateSpace, a self-publishing arm of Amazon.com. DuHaime says that if things go well, Auditions could be the beginning of a series of books about overcoming difficult challenges.

Asked about advice for other would-be authors, she says, “Follow your passion. Do it. I also recommend self-publishing because you don’t have to wait, and you can control it yourself.”