As a child who received needles in the form of allergy shots from a very young age, I understand overcoming the fear of being poked and prodded with scary-looking syringes.
South Jersey based-author Mary Wagner and Illustrator Krystal Almora are hoping to ease the fears of more children braving needles with their new book, Kelsey Hates the Needle.
The book illustrates a little girl who has a rare disease and requires medical injections in order to control her disease. It was inspired by Mary’s eight-year-old granddaughter Kelsey Connell who suffers from a genetic deficiency known as Adenosine Deaminase 2 (DADA2), with a manifestation of Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN). She was diagnosed at three years old, and has been receiving medical injections on a frequent basis ever since.
This book was written to help her and other children suffering with serious illnesses understand and cope with the life-threatening challenges they may face. A portion of the proceeds from each book sold will benefit Kelsey’s
Kaleidoscope Inc.: A New View For PAN. This nonprofit organization strives to eliminate Polysarteritis Nodosa (PAN) by supporting research aimed to finding a cure and making advances in the treatment of PAN while raising public awareness through education and service.
Kelsey Hates the Needle is available on Amazon.
