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<\/a>\u201cEver since I was kid I liked writing stories,\u201d said Trimble, a San Diego native. \u201cI kept thinking I\u2019d write a book and I never did. It was as simple as Andrew saying those words. The only thing I wasn\u2019t sure of was whether to draw it or write it. I decided to do both.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, Trimble is the author of 13 books, with the most recent being \u201cAndrew and the Pirate Cove.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Trimble didn\u2019t just write books to keep Andrew entertained. He wrote books to engage Andrew, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen my wife, Nickcole, called me and told me they wanted to test him for autism, I just started crying,\u201d Trimble said. \u201cI kind of knew [he was autistic] but it didn\u2019t occur to me until the diagnosis came. He\u2019s still the same kid but we just need to do a little more work.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Trimble, the extra work included writing books that would spark Andrew\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the time he was diagnosed, he didn\u2019t like reading books, but he did like illustrated books with animals,\u201d Trimble said. \u201cHe goes through the motion of reading the books, but he takes a more direct interest with my books. He speaks about it with a high level of interest. But if he has trouble remembering a book, I know it\u2019s because he had trouble reading it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Using Andrew as his inspiration, Trimble has also made it a goal to donate 50 percent of his book\u2019s proceeds to the National Foundation for Autism Research.<\/p>\n
Trimble said he hopes to end the stigma against autism and raise awareness about what the disorder really is.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people tend to throw autism into one bag and I was one of them, and now I\u2019m able to see the bigger picture,\u201d Trimble said. \u201cThe biggest road block for autism are the misconceptions. It creates a barrier for understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trimble recalled a time when he and Andrew were shopping at Target last year. Andrew was occupied with the CD sampler box, listening to the music. Another customer then told Trimble he \u201chad a lot to learn about being a dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
In other surroundings, he\u2019s had other experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople find out he\u2019s autistic and they shy away from him,\u201d Trimble said. \u201cI get the \u2018He doesn\u2019t look autistic\u2019 comment a lot. It\u2019s something I take very personally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the challenges, Andrew is earning high marks at school and loves to socialize with people he encounters. He also has a little brother, 2-year-old Tyler.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s very friendly, very outgoing and very cheerful,\u201d Trimble said of Andrew.<\/p>\n
Andrew continues to inspire his father to continue his writing career. He\u2019ll release the sequel to \u201cAndrew and the Pirate Cove\u201d in November.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrew has been my inspiration for all of it,\u201d said Trimble who works full-time in IT. \u201cHe\u2019s already asking me about the third and fourth books. He\u2019s keeping me busy. If I\u2019m still doing the same thing I am doing today, I\u2019ll be happy. As long as Andrew still likes the books, I\u2019ll be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trimble will be at the Mission Hills Branch Library for a meet and greet at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12. For more information, call the library at 619-692-4910.<\/p>\n