Hi, I'm Rosemary aka Rosie:A writer, editor, and public speaker who helps people create and distribute information on neurodiversity, disability, and chronic illness. Typically, I adapt my writing to fit diverse contexts while maintaining inclusivity as a central focus.
Although I don’t just produce content, I help my clients maintain accessible, realistic, and stigma-free resources and messaging. My work aims to promote disability inclusion and address the educational needs of everyone, from workplaces to educators. I am also the author of Stumbling Through Space and Time: Living Life With Dyspraxia, a book that uses my own lived experiences as a dyspraxic person to educate people about dyspraxia. My next book, Studying With Dyspraxia, is due out in the summer of 2026. /
Rosemary is a delight to work with and her work is rewarding to edit. She sets the stage well, does her research, and brings a needed perspective to the table. Her story for Medicinal Media on sensory processing issues and apps has inspired our readers and we're so grateful for her words and voice.
My past experiences...I am an experienced freelancer who has been taking on new projects since 2014. I have worked with clients such as eBay, Yellow Pages, Lexxic, and Uptimize, and my work has been featured in magazines such as Reader's Digest, The Toronto Star, and Travel + Leisure. A lengthier list of my past clients is available on my clients page.
My digital marketing experience dates back to 2009, when I started running my own blog and working on marketing for organisations such as Parks and Recreation, The Toronto Fringe Festival, and Shakespeare in Action. I have also been involved in the editorial efforts of two university newspapers and created my first-ever zine at the age of 21. I have an English and Drama Studies degree from York University, have completed Editing for Print and Digital Publications courses at George Brown College, and am a former student of the University of Toronto's Summer Writing School. I have also participated in arts mentorship programs at The Toronto Fringe Festival, Soulpepper Theatre, and Tarragon Theatre. |
How my perspective can help youI tackle subjects that affect disabled people with a great deal of sensitivity and dignity because it has always directly affected my life. I knew I was neurodivergent by age 4, had my first iron deficiency fainting spell by age 13, and have a thyroid condition.
My disabled lived experience perspective typically attracts the following clientele:
How I talk about disability...I am a firm believer in the disability community principle of "nothing for us without us, along with the social model of disability. The social model, which disabled people created, states that disabled people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their impairment or difference. Through careful research and direct conversations with members of the disabled community, I tackle issues that affect disabled people.
All you have to do is follow me on social media to find out that I am very outspoken about my experiences as a disabled person. Still, I also recognise that not everyone's experiences are the same as mine. Being a voice of a historically marginalised community makes me feel like I must approach every story with an open mind and no assumptions whatsoever. Overall, what keeps me grounded in the reality of being a disabled person on a global scale is my ongoing involvement in disability advocacy projects such as Dyspraxic Me. Where am I based?Although I'm originally from Toronto, Canada, I moved to Marrakech (Morocco) in the fall of 2021.
As the daughter of a Canadian mum and a British dad, I have both Canadian and British passports. These days, I divide up my time between Morocco and Canada. My typical clientele comprises British, Canadian, and American publications and businesses. If you're curious what time zone to plan around, I am on Casablanca time (GMT+1) when I am in Morocco, and Eastern Standard Time (EST) when I am in Canada. When I work remotely from cities outside Canada and Morocco, all clients I am working with at that time will be notified in advance to enable transparent and productive communication. |
What do I typically offer?
Also check out: my newly launched service for disabled writers, seeking a traditional publishing deal and wanting one-on-one support on navigating the entire process.
For more info about what sets me apart from other freelancers, check out my hire me page.
Media inquires:
As an author always looking for opportunities to introduce my work to new audiences, I'll also occasionally accept press invites to be interviewed for live streams, podcasts, radio shows, articles, and other forms of media. Here are a few outlets and platforms I have previously made appearances on:
What you need to know about my books:
My book is available through Jessica Kingsley Publishers (JKP), part of the John Murray Press Division of Hachette UK.
Stumbling Through Space and Time: Living Life With Dyspraxia's international English language debut was September 21, 2022, and the book is available in bookstores in North America, the UK, Ireland, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, some parts of Asia and Africa, and popular online book retailers such as Bookshop and Amazon. Since its release, the book has been proudly loved and endorsed by Neurodiversity at Oxford, Dyspraxia Reddit, Dyspraxia DCD America, Sensory Integration Education's Sensory Awareness Guide, Dyspraxia Foundation's resource page, and Dyspraxic Adults: A Forum For Adults With Dyspraxia. It has also featured in health and well-being library catalogues such as The Wellington City Library's Good Health collection, the Edinburgh Napier University Well-Being Collection, and Denver Public Library's Celebrating Neurodiversity: Books For Adults book recommendation list. During a 2023 reading challenge, my book was a staff pick in the Books by Authors With a Non-apparent Disability category at my hometown library, Toronto Public Library. Here is JKP's official premise: "Rosemary shares her experience of growing up dyspraxic, and how it impacts her sense of space, time and coordination. Diagnosed with DCD at the age of four, Rosemary shares her insights and experience dealing with challenges, from coping with bullies in school to choosing a dyspraxia-friendly university, pursuing self-employment and travelling abroad. Rosemary shares guidance for others about what helped her develop her skills, including ballet and gymnastics, the Wilbarger Protocol (brushing therapy) and equestrian therapy. Full of practical tips and insights into the strategies that gave Rosemary the confidence to succeed, this is an essential guide for other dyspraxics and those supporting them, which shows you how you too can thrive as a dyspraxic person." |
I wrote this book based on the insights and perspectives of current and former dyspraxic students, university faculty, and several research studies, articles, and books from the broader neurodivergent community. Some key lessons from past experiences as a dyspraxic student are also shared.
Studying With Dyspraxia: in my own words:Bloomsbury's official premise:
"Full of practical guidance, Studying with Dyspraxia helps readers to understand what to expect at university and gives support in adjusting to a more independent lifestyle. Crucially, it allows students to implement study strategies that really work. This book gives students the knowledge, tools and confidence to thrive at university. Students will gain a more in-depth understanding of the reasonable adjustments available to them and how they can benefit from them. They will also learn how to articulate their needs to university professionals and teaching staff. A core objective of the book is to help students become effective self-advocates: individuals who communicate their needs effectively and make decisions based on their needs and interests." |
