Simon Perretz-Rosales greets visitors with a hearty "Bonjour," and waits for their response. When they answer "Hello," he says "Bonjour" until they respond in French. Simon's enthusiasm is contagious, and his dad, Robert Perretz-Rosales, gives a friendly, mischievous smile to guests. He knows Simon loves to speak French or Spanish to visitors.
Simon is the proprietor of De Colores -- which means "of colors" -- a bookstore of many cultures in downtown Olympia. Simon, 21, combines his love of languages, books and people in one cozy place.
When Simon graduated form high school in 2001, his friends and family met one evening to think of a future job form him. That night the concept of a multicultural bookstore was formed to focus on Simon's many interests and unique abilities.
While a community gathering to determine a young man's future career is unusual, it is a reflection of the circle of love and support he receives from his parents, sisters and friends.
Simon was born with a brain injury that has challenged both his parents and him throughout his life. During his first two years, his injury hampered his ability to communicate and move. Some doctors doubted whether he would be able to walk or speak. Over the years, his parents, Robert and Griselda Perretz-Rosales, received evaluation and training from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia and the Northwest Neuro-Development Training Center, found by Florence Scott, in Woodburn, Oregon.
"It's controversial within the medical community," says Robert of the Institutes. "From ages 3 to 7, we saw the biggest developmental changes in Simon." He learned to walk -- and run -- and he learned to read at a very young age -- in several different languages. His parents relied on the teaching strategies in the40-year-old book How to Teach Baby to Read by Glen and Janet Doman.
Simon has many interests, which he pursued during his years at Olympia High School. He was on the track team and ran in the one- and two-mile races. He also sang in the chorus. When asked about his favorite music, he exclaims, "I like live music." He regularly attends music concerts and theater performances.
Simon's physical development stabilized years ago. His greatest health concern is seizures. He takes medication, but it doesn't stop them. When he experiences a small seizure, his head bows down; then his dad lovingly rubs his chest and calls his name as he comes out of the seizure. Simon is surrounded by friends who get him water and wait for him to recover. Within minutes, he's back to his usual vibrant, outgoing self.
Simon's love of languages stems from his parents. He learned English and Spanish from his bilingual parents; his mother is from Argentina. He also speaks Japanese, German, Italian and words from other languages. He counts in 25 languages.
Simon's daily schedule is filled with activities and work he loves. Several mornings a week he travels to his former elementary and high schools to read to students. On another morning he reads to toddlers at Great Beginnings Child Development and Daycare Center. Simon's afternoons are spent at his bookstore helping volunteer manager Miles Woken with inventory or bagging books for customers. De Colores is staffed by volunteers. More than 100 have helped since the store's opening in October 2001.
The bookstore stocks a range of multicultural books for kids and adults. There are books written in different languages, books from divergent cultures and bilingual books. Video and audiotapes are available for those who want to learn a new language. Books about disability can be borrowed from the Disability for Thurston County Advocacy Library house at the store. De Colores welcomes multicultural groups for community events: presentation on other countries, poetry readings and discussions.
"The bookstore is a great resource for parents who have adopted children form other countries," suggests Robert.
Customers, visitors and volunteers pop in throughout the day to help run the store, drop off homemade cookies, buy books, practice their Spanish or French with Simon, or just to visit with the friendly proprietor. The bookstore began as a job for Simon, but it has become a gift to the Olympia community.
Paula Rudberg Lowe is an Olympia-based freelance writer and a proof-reader for Puget Sound Parent. She is the mother of one.