Q & A
Q – What motivated you to tell your story in a children’s book?
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A – When I was a child going through cancer, there weren’t many, if any, books I could understand or relate to. All these years later, little changed so with “A Little Superhero Fights Cancer,” I wanted to speak to kids and include a character with someone who looked like us.
Q – Little Destiny talks about failing a vision test before she was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma. Did you have vision problems before that day?
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A – I used to “chase dots” or follow bits of light but didn’t say anything to my parents until after the cancerous eye was removed. I was always a healthy kid, so guess I didn’t see that was unusual. That said, I hope kids aren’t afraid to share when they’re feeling something might be off so their parents can have it checked.
Q – How can parents and siblings of children going through cancer benefit from little Destiny’s story?
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A – I hope adults see this as a way to better explain things to kids when their world seems upside down, and even other parents when one of their children is seriously ill. I also hope they learn it’s ok to show emotion. You can laugh. You also can cry.
Q – Why did you decide to self-name your character?
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A – I looked at A Little Superhero Fights Cancer as if I was talking to the little me again. I carry many of the lessons that I learned as little Destiny with me today.
Q – What kind of challenges, if any, do you have as an adult living with one eye?
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A – I can drive, play sports (I played basketball, volleyball and ran track through high school with protective glasses). I’m still very active today although team sports have given way to hikes, working out, Pilates, and Yoga. Sometimes I bump into people because I don’t have peripheral vision on my right side, so I have to remind myself to walk slower.
Q – You say that healthcare providers can also benefit from little Destiny’s story. How?
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A – My doctors and nurses were so kind and compassionate. I credit them for not just saving my life but showing me that I could still be a kid despite physical limitations at that time.
Q – Did you always like to write? Did you write while you were going through treatment all those years ago?
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A – I always loved to write and still journal as a form of therapy. I journaled when I was going through cancer. I know I can be long-winded, but hopefully readers find this book a simple way to learn about a complicated topic.