Briley Rossiter is an eighth grader, author, and daughter of a Marine. She wrote “Loving My Sister” in Stories Around the Table: Laughter, Wisdom, and Strength in Military Life.
She writes about the journey with her sister, Ainsley, who was diagnosed with Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy. Briley says, “I’m a strong believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason. I believe people are put into our lives with a purpose. Some people come to help you, others come to challenge you, and others come because they need you. Ainsley is special. I believe she has come to do all these things. Ainsley is the inspiration. This is her legacy. I’m just her voice. The voice she can’t use on her own.”
Briley published her first children’s book, Born An Angel, when she was eleven years old. The book tells the story of her relationship with her sister and the races they have participated in with each other. She just finished writing her second book. She enjoys listening to music, spending time with her friends, traveling, and running.
She pledged her author proceeds from her books to Ainsley’s Angels of America, a foundation established in her sister’s honor. The foundation aims to build awareness about America’s special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life, by promoting awareness, providing education, and participating as active members in local communities.
Read more about Briley in Books Make a Difference. She was honored by Elva Resa as Military Kid Extraordinaire for 2014 Month of the Military Child. Operation Homefront recognized Briley as a finalist for the 2015 Military Child of the Year Award.
Briley is enrolled in the Middle Years International Baccalaureate World School program. She lives in Virginia Beach with her parents, brother, and sister.
