1. **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, Email: unrealeducation@gmail.com
NewBookOffersSupportandInformationforParentswithSpecialNeedsChildren,AsThey Navigatethe
SpecialEducationSystem
A Mom tells her painful yet inspiring story that both her son and family endured within the public
school system as a result of an incorrect Special Ed diagnosis.
New York – Offering readers a glimpse into her son’s heartbreaking yet ultimately triumphant
story, author and mother, Elaine Mellon, unmasks a compelling portrait of the astonishing and
overwhelmingly frustrating experiences and roadblocks she faced. Her new book, unREAL
Education: Beyond Report Cards, offers a powerful expose’ on the public school system (both
good and not so good) through the true story of her son’s academic struggles.
Mellon candidly reveals actual accounts, over a 19 year period, with sometimes shocking
revelations that she encountered for many years - often times battling on her own and without
the advocacy of school officials. From a mother’s perspective who fought tirelessly on behalf of
her son, the author reveals how initially, though unsuccessfully, she tried balancing the
academic systems put into place in an effort to assist her son, Blake, with his personal
educational difficulties. This balancing act provided Mellon with both the sensitivity and
understanding of special education both academically and through personal experience. While
she initially learned the basic foundation in her graduate studies, it was her ongoing research
and advanced training, which proved vital to the plight of her son, thus providing her with the
tools to actively and effectively advocate on his behalf. Her successful accomplishments - fueled
by extensive research, on-going participation in educational workshops and attending dozens of
seminars and conferences for more than a decade - are shared within the pages of her recently
published book. (www.unrealeducation.com)
Ms. Mellon hopes unREAL Education: Beyond Report Cards will encourage and offer a fresh
perspective of support to other parents and child guardians as they navigate their way through
the maze of the public educational system.
Giving Back
Ms. Mellon feels it is important to recognize those organizations that were so helpful to her son
and her family. She states on the book cover that a portion of the book proceeds will be donated
to both the International Dyslexia Association and Everyone Reading NY.
About the Author
Elaine Mellon holds a Master of Science/Certificate of Advanced Study in Counseling with a
concentration in School Counseling. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a
minor in Psychology. Mellon has been an active and enthusiastic volunteer throughout her
children’s school years. She was a PTA president, a Girl Scout leader and held various other
key positions in her children’s district. Married and the mother of three grown children, Mellon
hones her multi talented skill set as a group fitness instructor; talent manager; travel agent and
still continues to passionately volunteer her time on behalf of several non-profit organizations.
