About the Author & Artist

Born with Spina Bifida and a duodenal blockage, Pat Figueroa was given three days to live by doctors. That was over 50 years ago. One of ten siblings, life has not always been easy. He is proud to say that his family overcame abject poverty. Pat is a doer and sometimes called "an over achiever". He graduated from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, and got his Masters Degree from New York University from the School of Public Administration. Although, Pat was the only sibling to finish college, all his brothers and sisters have been successful in their endeavors.

Born in Puerto Rico, Pat was raised in Spanish Harlem in New York City. He attended the High School of Art and Design and graduated with honors. After high school he attended  Parsons School of Design. He has worked for three levels of government: the City of New York, the State of New York, and the federal government. He has been a successful manager of several not-for-profit organizations, and is considered highly knowledgeable in this field. But his real love is art. He is an accomplished artist, familiar with all mediums, he marvels at the draftsmanship of his artistic idol Salvador Dali. However, art has taken a back seat to his involvement in the disability rights movement. A nationally known leader in the movement for the rights of people with disabilities, Pat has dedicated over 30 years of his life to the struggle for independent living for people with disabilities. In his more activist days Pat lead a take over of the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority's headquarters, sat-in the Nixon Campaign Headquarters,  and marched in and participated in numerous demonstrations, and other activities in Washington, D.C., Albany, and New York City.

In 1981, the International Year of the Disabled, Pat received the Salvation Army's coveted Golden Donut Award.

For more information write:
Magic Pen Publishing, Inc.
P.O. Box   477,
Latham, NY 12110