Meet the Author
AJ Kikumoto is an up and coming female author and owner of Yellow Daisy Publishing Company. She is a super mom to 6 kids, 4 of whom have the invisible disability of Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Her Master’s degree in Elementary Education has come in handy while taking on the challenges of guiding her kids through the difficulties of Apraxia of Speech. The many hours of therapy, and different challenges with each kid, proved an ever- changing learning atmosphere and mode of communication. She was fed up by the lack of awareness and lack of educated in CAS. She authored this book based on her own personal experiences. She encourages moms to rely on their “mommy gut.” Mother knows best!!
AJ uses her expertise from dancing with the NBA Denver Nuggets Dancers and currently coaches a youth dance team, empowering the girls to follow their dreams, believe in themselves, and be 20th century boss babes in these unprecedented times. As a competitor for Mrs. Colorado America, her legacy project is promoting #beautyisinclusion and #youcandohardthings. This is based on true events in the “Zoey’s Great Adventures” book series. She teaches parents and children alike, the power of a positive mindset, anti-bullying, and promoting good morals and values in our society. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit Apraxia Kids at Apraxia-Kids.org. She believes in paying forward.
Meet The Contributors
Akyra Kikumoto is daughter #2, and the first to have Apraxia of Speech. When her speech teacher mentioned including hippotherapy, and because her mom was raised on a horse ranch, it was a perfect match! Akyra rode Whinny, and miniature horse Toby is referenced in the stall next to Crackerjack in the barn. Akyra never crawled, even with mom trying daily to teach her. She is now a successful pre-teen planning her design future on HGTV. She enjoys connecting with friends and playing golf with her dad.
Amaya Kikumoto is daughter #3, and also has CAS. Amaya didn’t speak until age 4, and at age 6 was crowned IJM Colorado Jr Princess and competed on an international stage in Nashville.
She proudly gave a 45 second tear-jerking speech! All due to the power of the horse’s movement! Amaya was extremely afraid of her horse Crackerjack, and it took over a month to even get on him. But when she did, magic happened and her confidence skyrocketed! Amaya currently enjoys competitive dance, Miss National Showbiz Petite, golf and basketball.
Akayla Kikumoto is daughter #4, and the second to last to have CAS in the family. Akayla is a spitfire and as an Irish twin to Amaya, she was not going to let her sister out do her in anything! Her favorite horse to ride at therapy was Crackerjack, who she nicknamed CJ, after her only brother, who also has CAS. Akayla currently loves competitive dance, and competed in her first hip hop solo to a song, Bubblegum Wiggle. She has won several accolades in dance. She loves playing golf as well.