Since childhood, 36-year-old Tavell Fox has dreamed of turning his passion for writing into a career.

“I was always interested in journalism and writing,” he said.

Through his work as an author, Fox, who was born and raised in Harlem, hopes to create more compassion in his community, particularly among kids.

“If you cut down a tree or you mess up a river, where do these animals go and how does that mess up their family dynamic?” Fox said.

The Manhattan native’s first children’s book, “The Grateful Grizzlies,” was co-authored with his mother, LaVerne Fox.

“When it comes to writing I’ll show him a piece and he’ll be like, ‘no ma, change it like this’ or he’ll show me a piece and I’ll be like, ‘no add this word or take this word away,’” she said. “Anything he wants to do, I’m going to make sure we do it together.”

The book encourages children to respect the environment, using bears as the main characters to demonstrate the importance of debunking misconceptions, something Fox is very familiar with. He’s a living example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.

“At the age of two, I was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy,” he said. “Doctors, they expected me not to be able to talk, walk, or anything. I had to go to speech therapy and I’m here today to show that none of that was correct.”

Instead, Fox said he leads a fulfilling life. “I’m a college graduate. I am newly married, three years in June.”

He’s been exceeding expectations most of his life. Whether learning to play chess or remaining an honor student until graduating from John Jay College, thanks to support from his mother and brother, Bernard.

Although cerebral palsy affects his motor skills on the right side, Fox learned to write and eventually type. In time, he developed a voice he would use to generate positive change.

At age 15, Fox wrote an article for the Harlem-based Amsterdam News, reporting on the lack of wheelchair accessible city transportation and street curbs. In 2003, he testified about it in front of City Council members before the city added more ramped curbs and accessible transit.

“They actually provided 200-300 more curb cuts throughout the city, so I was very proud that my voice was heard,” he said.

“If my son can do it, you can do it too,” Ms. Fox said. “There’s nothing too hard or impossible.”

Fox is hoping a new series of books he’s authoring about his personal journey living with cerebral palsy can inspire others with disabilities, especially African Americans.

“The biggest way that I can give back to my community is to show anyone who may be struggling with their identity, wondering if there is any possibility for them to thrive in challenging situations, I want to show that anything is possible,” Fox said.