Hi, I'm Rosemary aka Rosie:A writer, editor, and public speaker specialising in the topic of neurodiversity and disability. I am also the author of Stumbling Through Space and Time: Living Life With Dyspraxia.
With my work, I challenge expectations about what creating a fair and inclusive environment for disabled people looks like, and make information about neurodiversity accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of education. I started my business to adapt to the complex reality of living with a sensory and coordination disorder that made finding the right work environment unnecessarily complicated. That difficult reality presented me with an opportunity to fill a representation gap of people with my voice, my perspective, my way of looking at the world. As a neurodivergent person with sensory processing issues, dyspraxia, and chronic pain issues, every project is about making the world a more manageable place to live for people like me. Where am I based?Although I'm originally from Toronto, Canada, I moved to Marrakech (Morocco) in the fall of 2021 to accommodate the European Time Zone needs of my husband James, a WHO consultant for the Global Diabetes Compact.
These days, I divide up my time evenly between Morocco and Canada. My typical clientele is a mixture of British, Canadian, and American publications and businesses, and I am half British (my dad's side of the family grew up in and lives in the UK). 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 of Canada and Morocco, all clients I am working with at that point in time will be notified ahead of time to enable transparent and productive communication. |
What I doMy work has allowed me to work with a wide variety of clients, from print and digital magazine editorial teams, to marketing professionals who produce digital content for corporations and charities. What all my clients have in common is a desire to make diversity and inclusion so much more than just a buzzword. Understanding neurodivergent people, and people with frequently co-occurring conditions, such as mental health conditions and chronic pain issues, genuinely matters to the people I work with.
My typical project focuses on issues like accessibility, inclusive language, and framing disability related issues in a non- patronising but also realistic way. Through careful research and the most relevant and recent editorial sources that I possibly find I tackle issues that affect disabled people. Although I am neurodivergent myself, and live with many of the symptoms I discuss, I am fully aware of the fact 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 involvement in the disability advocacy community. My disability advocacy network includes the founder of Dyspraxia Magazine, Billy Stanley of Dyspraxic Help 4 U, and independent advocacy groups such as Dyspraxic Women's Network and Dyspraxic Alliance. Currently, I'm serving on the board of Dyspraxic Me, a peer support network for dyspraxic teens and young adults. I also have a close, long-term connection with the #insulin4all movement due to the fact that I know the movement's founder, and many of its advocates. /
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.
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My professional background
When I was in school, I started writing after overcoming enormous difficulties with learning how to read and write, a past struggle which gave me the gift of being able to explain things simply and clearly. Here's how that has translated on a professional level:
I have a digital marketing background of 10+ years:
From 2009-2014, I gained experience in digital marketing and content writing by starting my own blog, and working for Toronto not-for-profit organisations such as the Toronto Fringe Festival, Parks and Recreation Ontario, and Shakespeare in Action.
How long have I been freelancing and what are some examples of the writing clients I have worked with?
Since 2014, I have done writing work for organisations such as E-Bay, Independent Cinema Office (ICO), Uptimize, Saatva Mattress company, and Yellowpages Canada. I started off by being a copywriter and content writer, and then quickly realised I was much happier focusing on projects with an accessibility, diversity, and inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent people angle, because that put my lived experience as a neurodivergent disabled person to good use. I typically do editorial writing both bylined and ghostwritten for digital magazines and company blogs. Although occasionally I'll write for print magazines as well.
What are some examples of editing work I have done?
I have done editing work for organisations such as Lexxic, the Hip Lives Blog, and the Toronto Workforce Innovation Group (TWIG). I have edited everything from blogs and website copy to educational brochures.
Where has my writing been featured?
I have also been published in a long list of magazines including: Shape Magazine, Broken Pencil Magazine, Happiful Magazine, Travel + Leisure, Spacing, and Torontoverse.
Examples of public speaking projects I have done?
I have done speaking engagements for organisations such as Reach PLC, Delinian's disability awareness and education program, and Neuro Pride Ireland's #NeuroPrideDay.
Where have I been featured (in the press)?
I have been interviewed on a long list of radio shows and podcasts including the All 4 Inclusion Podcast, Rethreading Madness, a Vancouver Co-op Radio Program, and The Neurodiversity Podcast. For a recent list of press and media projects, check out my press page.
From 2009-2014, I gained experience in digital marketing and content writing by starting my own blog, and working for Toronto not-for-profit organisations such as the Toronto Fringe Festival, Parks and Recreation Ontario, and Shakespeare in Action.
How long have I been freelancing and what are some examples of the writing clients I have worked with?
Since 2014, I have done writing work for organisations such as E-Bay, Independent Cinema Office (ICO), Uptimize, Saatva Mattress company, and Yellowpages Canada. I started off by being a copywriter and content writer, and then quickly realised I was much happier focusing on projects with an accessibility, diversity, and inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent people angle, because that put my lived experience as a neurodivergent disabled person to good use. I typically do editorial writing both bylined and ghostwritten for digital magazines and company blogs. Although occasionally I'll write for print magazines as well.
What are some examples of editing work I have done?
I have done editing work for organisations such as Lexxic, the Hip Lives Blog, and the Toronto Workforce Innovation Group (TWIG). I have edited everything from blogs and website copy to educational brochures.
Where has my writing been featured?
I have also been published in a long list of magazines including: Shape Magazine, Broken Pencil Magazine, Happiful Magazine, Travel + Leisure, Spacing, and Torontoverse.
Examples of public speaking projects I have done?
I have done speaking engagements for organisations such as Reach PLC, Delinian's disability awareness and education program, and Neuro Pride Ireland's #NeuroPrideDay.
Where have I been featured (in the press)?
I have been interviewed on a long list of radio shows and podcasts including the All 4 Inclusion Podcast, Rethreading Madness, a Vancouver Co-op Radio Program, and The Neurodiversity Podcast. For a recent list of press and media projects, check out my press page.
Relevant courses & education:
- I have a bachelor of arts degree in English and Drama Studies (Glendon College York University), and also took an intro to creative writing course as part of my studies.
- I studied editing for digital and print publications at George Brown College.
- I took writing classes and workshops at University of Toronto's Summer Writing School
- I have participated in several writing groups and mentorship programs run by publishing professionals and experienced professional writers. This includes manuscript mentorship with Greg Ioannou of Iguana Books and Toronto artist training programs such as Paprika Festival.
Want to reach out to me about writing, editing, or public speaking projects you want to commission me for? Contact me to make applicable arrangements, find out if I am available for new projects at the moment, and share your project requirements.
I am also a traditionally published author
More details about my book are available below.
Book cover design: Ian James Ross. For more of his work, check out his website: https://www.ianrossdesigner.com/
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, Amazon, and Indiebound.
Since its release, the book has been proudly loved and endorsed by Neurodiversity at Oxford, Dyspraxia Reddit, Dyspraxia DCD America, 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 Books by Authors With a Non-apparent Disability category staff pick 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 co-ordination. 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."
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, Amazon, and Indiebound.
Since its release, the book has been proudly loved and endorsed by Neurodiversity at Oxford, Dyspraxia Reddit, Dyspraxia DCD America, 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 Books by Authors With a Non-apparent Disability category staff pick 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 co-ordination. 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."
Advice: if you want to talk to me about my book:
If you publish books in another language besides English, and want to apply for foreign rights and translation privileges (or you know someone who is interested in doing that), contact my publisher directly.
If you are a journalist or content creator who wants to discuss my book and its subject matter with me, check out my press page.
If you are a journalist or content creator who wants to discuss my book and its subject matter with me, check out my press page.