'Still Dancing' tells Gabe Ford's journey from seclusion to nationally-known speaker

by Eric Fish | The Flint Journal

Wednesday June 24, 2009, 8:45 AM

FENTON, Michigan -- Gabrielle Ford hopes when people read her book, "Still Dancing," they'll laugh and be entertained. Above all, she hopes readers will be moved by her life story.

Ford, 29, of Fenton is a nationally recognized public speaker who visits schools around the country speaking about the long-term effects of bullying. Ford knows this from personal experience -- she was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia, a neuromuscular disease, at the age of 12, causing her speech to slur and limiting her mobility.

"Still Dancing" was released this month and covers everything from Ford's life as a child, to experiencing teasing and insults related to her disease in high school, to how she befriended her loyal coonhound companion Izzy and started public speaking.

"I didn't want to do anything related with speaking," Ford said. "Basically anything in public, I kind of shied away from. It was Izzy that brought me out into the public."

Ford was forced to care for Izzy and accompany her to veterinarian appointments when it was discovered that the dog had muscular dystrophy -- a symptom common to Ford's neuromuscular disease. A feature on Animal Planet helped launch Ford's speaking career.

"Many kids have been bullied, and there are many kids that are diagnosed with various diseases, but there's only one Izzy dog," said Rhonda Hillman, Ford's mother. "I think that's what makes Gabe's story so unique. They both had the muscle disease, they both understood each other, they both leaned on each other."

Izzy died at age 9 in May.

In addition to Ford and Izzy's story, the book contains pictures and letters from children. Ford hopes to eventually follow "Still Dancing" by writing children's books on anti-bullying.

Ford will be on hand Saturday at the Fenton Community Center following the Freedom Festival parade to sign copies of "Still Dancing." Copies can also be purchased through her Web site or by calling Hillman and Ford at (810) 373-4043. The book will be available in major book stores in September. Books ordered through the Web site will come autographed by Ford.

 

          Ben, Izzy's brother, who was known as the yellow boy passed away this morning.

            When Izzy started to get really sick about a month ago, Ben started to get sick around that time. This Saturday he was fine, playing and running around. Sunday evening is when he got really sick.

            I was told he had pneumonia and a collapsed lung. He barely made it through the night but he did. This morning my mom was on the phone with Chris aka Grandma Hooker ... and she told me that Ben had passed away.

            We released a light pink balloon for Izzy and a yellow balloon for Ben. While they were flying away in the air, one of them was higher and far away from the other ... then they got close and it looked like they touched! I believe it was Ben's balloon catching up to Izzy's.

            It reminds me in a way of 'Where the Red Fern Grows' ... which happens to be about  brother and sister coonhounds! Where one sibling dies and the one left misses them so much, they die shortly after.

            I love you "my Benjamin." Take care of my little girl ... I know you are. You are both with your mom & dad running and playing like you did as puppies.

Thanks to everyone for keeping Izzy in their thoughts and prayers. It was a rough week or so for her but for us too.

Izzy is doing much better!!!  Like our vet Dr, Sandy said, "Izzy is a fighter."

Gabrielle

For most of you we've probably visited your school. We've been around the country and have probably talked to hundreds of thousands of kids, staff and parents.


Izzy is not in very good condition, as far as her health. She has taken turn for the worse. I don't wanna get into details, but I'd appreciate it if you'd pray for her. At this point, I'd ask you to p[ray for her comfort and for her not to suffer in pain.

Gabe & Izzy will be speaking at the IRA (International Reader's Association) in Phoenix, AZ on February 23, 2009.

Hi everyone~

I want to tell you all how the progress of my book 'Still Dancing' is coming along and when is should be out. Mom, Donna and I are working feverishly nearly 24/7 to complete our part which is the writing part of the book. Mom and I are working diligently finishing up the endings of 2 chapters and then we send them to Donna via e-mail so she can go through and "flower" it up and make it flow smoother to the reader. Mom and I are picking out pictures which include family and speaking engagement photos. Including hand written letters, colorful drawings and guestbook comments mostly from students from over the years will be in the book. I have already picked out the guestbook comments I want to be among these. We are steadily working to get our part completed so we can meet our deadline. At that time we will turn in the manuscript to be edited and printed. The result of this will be the Galle, a mock book, which we will go over and critique for any minor changes that we see need to be corrected. When this process is finished 'Still Dancing' will be printed. We are ambitiously pushing for this book to meet our desired release date which is shortly before Christmas '08. Please be on the lookout for 'Still Dancing' to be in your local bookstore, libraries, school libraries etc... I have already been asked to do a book signing at our local Barnes & Noble.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and I will see you in the upcoming school year!

Gabe & Izzy

We are excited to introduce Gabe's co-author, Donna Rhine. Donna is working with Gabe on the book, Still Dancing, the unforgettable journey of Gabe and Izzy, that is targeted for release by the end of 2008.

For more information, please see: Donna Rhine

Gabe & Izzy will appear in the next issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.  The magazine will soon be hitting newsstands throughout the country.  Be sure to pick up your copy soon! 

Welcome to Gabe & Izzy Inc.'s blog.  We will be posting news, thoughts and upcoming events and more!  Please check back often and thank you for visiting!