My name is Patti Pruitt, and I live in Atlanta with my husband, Tony.  I have three grown daughters and six grandchildren.  They are my heart and soul, and keep me smiling.  I also have a large extended family, all living nearby.  We love to spend time at our mountain cabin as much as possible, as it is good for the soul.

In 2004, I was faced with a life of no vision and unable to continue my career with Home Depot.  My eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, had worsened to the point that I only had light perception and could only see shadows.  Since I couldn’t read books to my grandchildren, I began telling them stories.  As they grew, the stories of my grandfather’s leprechaun, Paddy O’Rourke, became their favorite.  It was only natural that the antics of this mischievous little leprechaun would be the main character for my middle grade novels.

I have since written the books in the Paddy series, and have several others in the works.

I love talking to schools and civic organizations about being an author and about my blindness.  They love to see my talking tools and I teach them how to help visually impaired people.

My husband and I serve on the board of the Atlanta chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, where we raise money for research for treatments and cures of blinding diseases.  In addition, I set up salons nationwide to offer discounts to visually impaired women who can no longer darken and pluck eyebrows or apply mascara.  For women who always try to look their best, this is a necessity rather than a luxury. 

When not writing books, or articles for a local newspaper, I enjoy listening to books supplied to me by the Library of Congress.  I especially love WWII and similar non-fiction books, as well as the CIA and Special Forces type thrillers.  I am a member of the Society of Children’s Books, Writers and Illustrators.

Cooking, attending my grandchildren’s activities and traveling fill my remaining time. 

I am a very lucky person to have such a wonderful group of family and friends around me, not only for fun and support, but to help me remain independent.