Born from a Mission of Joy and Inclusion
Abilities Rising Publishing began as part of a movement to share every voice and every story.
Abilities Rising Publishing extends the work of John and Mark X. Cronin — empowering people with differing abilities through storytelling, creativity, and joy.
Our Story
Abilities Rising Publishing has grown out of the work that John and Mark X. Cronin started with John's Crazy Socks. They have a simple mission: share joy and show what people with differing abilities can do. Through Abilities Rising, John and Mark have expanded that mission into storytelling and giving people with differing abilities a voice. Everyone should be heard.
We publish books by, for, and about people with differing abilities. We share stories that highlight challenges, celebrate accomplishments, and uplift lived experiences.
"Every Story Matters. Every Voice Belongs."
Every Story Matters. Every Voice Belongs.
Everyone's voice should be heard so we publish works by, for and about people with differing abilities. We give them a platform to make a difference.
🎈
Joyful
Books that make people smile and spark connection.
💪
Empowering
Authors own their voices and their futures.
🌍
Inclusive
Every author and reader matters. Accessibility is essential.
💬
Authentic
Real stories told with dignity, not pity.
🎨
Playful + Purposeful
Even whimsical books have meaning and heart.
Meet the Founders
The Father–Son Team Behind the Mission
Chief Happiness Officer
John Cronin
John Cronin is the co-founder and Chief Happiness Officer of John's Crazy Socks and a co-creator and majority owner of Abilities Rising and Abilities Rising Publishing. A natural entrepreneur with Down syndrome, John turned a love of fun socks into a global movement for inclusion and joy. He became the first person with Down syndrome to receive the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and has spoken at the United Nations and testified before the U.S. Congress. Whether on stage or in a warehouse filled with socks, John leads with love, purpose, and pride. Now he has moved on to publishing and giving a voice to people with differing abilities. John has Down syndrome and every day he shows that Down syndrome never holds him back.
Co-Founder & Publisher
Mark X. Cronin
Mark X. Cronin is a social entrepreneur, policy leader, and passionate advocate for disability inclusion. As co-founder of John's Crazy Socks and Abilities Rising, he builds mission-led businesses that create opportunity and spark change. Mark earned his Masters from Harvard and has worked for a member of Congress, led healthcare reform as the head of Medicaid Health Care Services in New York City, founded health care management and consulting firms, advised a variety of companies and non-profits and taught at Columbia and NYU. He's a two-time TEDx speaker, published author, and winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Mark's talks and ventures blend storytelling, business acumen, and social mission, showing what's possible when strategy and soul work together. He inspires audiences to lead with heart and results.
"When we invest in people, everyone rises."
More Than a Publisher — We're a Movement
Abilities Rising Publishing is part of the Abilities Rising family, a network of organizations advancing inclusion through business, creativity, and storytelling. From John's Crazy Socks to Abilities Rising Coaching and Consulting, every initiative reflects one mission: to share joy and show what's possible when we believe in everyone. We employ people with differing abilities and donate to organizations like the Special Olympics, helping spread joy far beyond the page.
Learn About Abilities Rising