Re: Searching for Solid Footing, March 3 issue
Dear Editor,
I’m a local writer and have self-published three children’s books through my shingle, Wonderpress. My fourth children’s book is called Now That I’m Here, and I wrote it in tribute to Kate Drury, a sweet girl from Ottawa who passed away in November 2015 from mitochondrial disease. She was eight years old.
Now That I’m Here will be released for print-on-demand orders, in English and French, in September 2016 during Global Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week. The goal is to continue Kate’s legacy, spread awareness of mitochondrial disease and help advance research into better treatment—all profits will go to the CHEO Research Institute for research into SIFD, Kate’s form of mitochondrial disease.
Kate’s family—Julie, her dad Brian and her brother Jack—are in full support of Now That I’m Here and very much look forward to its release. It is a very personal story about young Kate; it also touches on universal themes, offering a way for families to teach their children about death, illness and disability through a sensitive and uplifting book.
Here’s some advance praise from award-winning playwright Hannah Moscovitch:
“Now That I’m Here is a strikingly beautiful and moving eulogy for the death of a child. The story masterfully captures the voice of a young girl, and its heartfelt optimism in the face of the darkest circumstances is profoundly emotional.”
I’m collecting contributions to help cover the costs of design and illustration. My editor, my translator and I are working pro bono, but the design and illustration are labour intensive and require compensation. If readers would like to contribute to the cost and have their names listed in the book (unless they’d prefer to stay anonymous), please email amanda@amandasage.ca.
Illustrations are already underway. So far, we’ve raised 30% of the goal – thanks to some incredible generosity – and I welcome any contribution readers would like to make.
More on Kate
Kate died of a very rare form of mitochondrial disease, called sideroblastic anemia, immune deficiency, fever and developmental delay, or SIFD for short. It was first diagnosed in November 2011, when doctors at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and Boston Children’s Hospital confirmed that Kate suffered from it. Since then, several other cases have been diagnosed worldwide, all in young children.
Kate’s life and courage helped the medical community identify and learn about SIFD. She made an invaluable contribution toward diagnosing and treating the disease.
I hope readers will contribute to Now That I’m Here to help continue Kate’s legacy of supporting research and awareness into mitochondrial disease. I think it’s a special book that will bring a lot of good to a lot of people. I can’t wait to share it.
For more about Kate, please visit Julie Drury’s blog at searchingforsolidfooting.com.
Thank you,
Amanda Sage,
Kitchissippi