Charlottetown-based author Marlene Bryenton said she㽶Ƶֱs thrilled to write storybooks about her grandkids, who include a pair of young Cloverdale-area girls who are the subject of her latest creation, Jaya㽶Ƶֱs Magic Wheelchair.
The 24-page book explores how kids in wheelchairs are excluded because they are different, Bryenton says.
㽶ƵֱAble-bodied children sometimes take their mobility for granted,㽶Ƶֱ she explained. 㽶ƵֱI believe children can learn from another child㽶Ƶֱs life. I am hoping that Jaya㽶Ƶֱs Magic Wheelchair will create a whole new perspective for children who perhaps do not understand what it means for a child not to be able to walk and participate in all activities.㽶Ƶֱ
Featured in Bryenton㽶Ƶֱs new book is 11-year-old Jaya Garner, a student at Hazelgrove Elementary, her younger sister Brynn, 3, and a talking wheelchair named Sparkle.
A genetic disorder prevents Jaya from being able to speak, but she can walk with assistance, Bryenton notes.
The author had her own wheelchair experience this summer after a hip replacement.
㽶ƵֱI discovered that people looked at me differently,㽶Ƶֱ Bryenton recalled. 㽶ƵֱSome people would wave hello and smile while others turn away. I do believe that people are uncomfortable with someone in a wheelchair. I know I certainly have more empathy now after my own wheelchair adventure. Life became much more difficult when I had to navigate in my wheelchair, as not everywhere is accessible.㽶Ƶֱ
When released this month, Jaya㽶Ƶֱs Magic Wheelchair will feature special illustrations of Jaya celebrating her 10th birthday with her two longtime school friends.
㽶ƵֱJaya㽶Ƶֱs mommy and daddy asked the children to bring a little money instead of a gift for Jaya. The money was donated, so that other little girls and boys could have a wheelchair. This story was published in your newspaper,㽶Ƶֱ Bryenton said.
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Bryenton said she has visited Jaya and her family many times, but not this year, due to her hip issues and also the COVID-19 pandemic.
㽶ƵֱI have observed all the fun things Jaya is able to do, in spite of being in a wheelchair,㽶Ƶֱ the author says. 㽶ƵֱThis includes Jaya riding her favourite therapeutic horse, Lady Bug, playing the drum, going to the library, playing baseball and riding through the fountain in her wheelchair getting soaking wet. Jaya loves being outside and she loves water. Leanne (Bowlan, illustrator) brought to life all the things Jaya loves to do in her beautiful bright illustrations. Judy Parsons is our editor and Mark Bowlan is the formatter. The storybook is being printed at KKP in Charlottetown.㽶Ƶֱ
Bryenton aimed to launch Jaya㽶Ƶֱs Magic Wheelchair on her 70th birthday Monday (Sept. 21), with .
㽶ƵֱJaya doesn㽶Ƶֱt really understand the whole concept, but what she will understand is when she receives the custom board book,㽶Ƶֱ Bryenton said. 㽶ƵֱShe㽶Ƶֱll be able to flip the pages of a board book, made of cardboard. It㽶Ƶֱs more durable and it will last, one just for her.㽶Ƶֱ
The B.C. Physiotherapy Association is sponsoring 100 copies of Jaya㽶Ƶֱs Magic Wheelchair to Hazelgrove School, and Bryenton is still looking for a business or charity in the Surrey area to sponsor more storybooks for the school Jaya attends.
㽶ƵֱIt㽶Ƶֱs been a thrill of a lifetime to do this, really,㽶Ƶֱ the author added.
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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