About

Author Biographies

Susan Christopher

As teacher, author, bookstore owner and small press publisher, Susan Christopher began her writing career as a doctoral student in Sociology at New York University. She taught there as well as at Burlington College in Vermont, and at various learning centers in New Jersey. She has tutored adults, adolescents and young children, many of whom have struggled with learning, developmental and mental health disabilities. Her research into the needs of socially disadvantaged populations led to the creation of Integrity Press, Inc., a non-profit publishing company that served the creative needs of individuals denied access to other avenues of expression. Her own publications include over 40 poems and short stories, essays and award winning scholarly articles. Conversations with Corraine Conaway led to her writing Maze Crawler in the hope that the book will lend support and comfort to those parents, caregivers and individuals with mental illness who are fighting for the fulfillment of their needs, rights and dignity.

Corraine Conaway

As the mother of an adopted son with multiple disabilities, Corraine Conaway’s life has been a never ending challenge of learning about, defending and finally advocating for the needs of the mentally ill. After seeing her son lost in the maze of the medical, educational and judicial systems where so much was promised, then denied, she began advocating for her son and other children in similar circumstances. With the support group she created, Children in Crisis Advocates, she successfully opened new doors in the mental health field. She was appointed to the Mental Health Board of Passaic County on which she served for fourteen years. After resigning her position, she worked as a Family Advocate for the Mental Health Association in Passaic County educating family members of psychiatric patients and teaching them how to navigate the complicated mental health system. She is still strongly committed to reforming and revitalizing the health care system for people with mental illness.