Chaz Hayden is a debut author who, like his main character, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy as an infant and spent his childhood in and out of hospitals. The First Thing About You, he says, is “not just about disability but about friendship and love and all the things that a young person hopes to experience.” Chaz will read a chapter from his debut book and speak with abundant positivity while encouraging people to “Be different. Leave a trail.”