I am Tom Heeren and I've lived in Wichita, KS for the past twelve years. I was orginally from Nebraska where I grew up and went to school from a private school to high school, having graduating from Northwest High School in May 1984.  I went to Nebraska Wesleyan University from August 1984 to May 1989 when I received a BA in English.  I have worked in different jobs from an internist to civil servant in the early 1990s.  In March 1995 I have decided to move to Wichita, KS to be close to my oldest brother and his family.  From December 6, 1996 until December 14, 2016, I have been an office worker in the Volunteer Services and I enjoy the job very much.  After 20 years of volunteer work, I decided to retire at last! :-)   I am also a writer of short fiction for children and adults, essays, plays and poetry. Life is hard for each of us but we always have our disabilities­, both inner and outer.  I have been deaf since birth as well as having cerebral palsy.  I hate when prospective pen friends get turned off by reading about my disability.  But, but I always believe in myself and use my disability to teach others as well to inspire others to respect all cultures with kindness and humilty.  I hope my statement echoes out for you.  I also believe all others are equal to God and humanity, of course!  I enjoy travel (I've been to England, Scotland, Denmark, Canada and Sweden), reading history, internet news and fiction, renting historical drama and comedy videos and DVDs, having honest discussions about Life, spending time with my five nieces, five nephews (age ranging from 29 years old to 10 years old) a great uncle to a 9-year-old great nephew and a 8-year-old great niece.  I have written many short stories and I've published two fiction works and some poetry.   I also value a good and fun-filled discussion about Life with you as well as learning from each other via a different culture.