Former Victor J. Andrew High School student Paige Cihocki (Class of 2022) published her first book, Life Through My Eyes, a compilation of 47 poems written over the past year. Cihocki is a current student in VJA’s Ultima program and attends the Transition Program, classes for students with specialized learning needs.  

According to the book jacket, “Paige Cihocki is a young woman with Autism and Cerebral Palsy. With this book, she uses her passion for the written word to express thoughts previously difficult for her to express verbally. Paige has worked tirelessly over the course of a year to bring you, the reader, into her mind so you can truly see Life Through Her Eyes.”

Her book reflects the emotions that she experienced through life’s changes. Paige invites readers to see the world through her eyes and hopes her poems inspire other people to get through their traumas as she did.

She said, “I wrote this book to have meaning in my life, and I hope others can do the same.”

She credits several people who inspired her work. Andrew teacher Mr. Houlihan, encouraged her vocabulary in writing and Ms. Rita her aide, who was always kind and helpful. She also credits her mom, grandma, and papa, who listened to her poems and encouraged her writing. Finally, Regina Young of Seguin, who introduced her to Hulu.com and also helped to edit the book.

Cihocki is already planning another book but she says, “it takes time for inspiration to happen.”

If you are interested in purchasing Paige’s book, here is a link.