For many people, publishing one book is a great accomplishment, but Liam, a Grade 2 student at Sam Sherratt PS, can now boast he’s a published author of
two books. His latest book reveals his experience as a patient at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.
Called Liam’s Hospital Stay, the book is about Liam, a young boy who lives with his mom, nanny and grandpa in a small house on a small street in a small town. He has cystic fibrosis, but he does not let that hold him back because he is as strong as a tree. One day, Liam’s doctor tells him that he needs to go to the hospital to get some special medicine that has to be administered by needle. Liam is very worried and he does not feel strong as a tree. The book takes the reader through their journey as they go to the hospital and discover that it’s not as scary as it seems.
The family is donating $5 from every book sale to support the SickKids Foundation and the John Tavares Foundation. A book launch party was held in May.
“It’s pretty cool being a young author,” Liam says, adding he wants people to know the hospital is an amazing place to get treatment and that he appreciates the child life specialists who helped him during his time there.
In 2020, Liam published his first book at the age of five about what it’s like to live with cystic fibrosis (CF). Using the metaphor of a tree, Strong as a Tree takes the reader through what it is like for Liam to need oxygen and medication to remain healthy.
The experience writing the most recent book was difficult but therapeutic, Deana says.
“It was sad because he's also retelling his grandpa's passing but it was an amazing way to honour, cherish and remember him,” Deana says. “He wanted to do it for him and he wanted everyone to know they are all superheroes. During his stay at the hospital, Liam met so many amazing doctors and nurses and child life specialists - he fell in love with all of them and two of them made it into his book along with ‘Ranger Ray’, as they left a lasting impact on him.”
“SickKids Foundation is so grateful for Liam and his family, who have been incredible supporters of our mission and cause,” says Shannon Griffin, Associate of Community Partnerships with SickKids Foundation. “It brings us so much joy to see Liam continuing to share his story through his new book. We know his journey and experience will inspire others to share their stories and rally their communities to give back.”
To learn more about the book, visit
www.liamsmission.ca.
