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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Writing a children’s book is no easy feat.
Writing a children’s book while suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) throughout your entire life is absolutely incredible.
Medfield's Karen Richards, 17, recently wrote and published a children’s book in collaboration of her grandfather, the illustrator, and Chuck Pinkham, a graphic designer. Her book, "When I Close My Eyes," is now available on Amazon. It was a long journey to arrive at the publication of the book, but Richards said that like most of the best things in life, the stress and perseverance it took were absolutely worth it.
“The ‘idea’ to write a children's book, was never really a lightbulb idea. It was something that developed over time,” Richards said. “I was sitting in an airport waiting for my plane to board. I'm sure I was on my way home from a doctor's visit. I was bored, waiting at the gate and so I began to write a poem about imagination. Poetry has always been an escape for me whenever I am going through a rough time, as well as imagination.”
EDS is a rare condition that is a collection of inherited disorders affecting connective tissues making them fragile. The result is that at the age of 17, Richards had already undergone 21 surgeries and relies on the constant intervention of doctors to keep her healthy. “My list of medications is too long to remember, so I saved it on a Google Doc,” Richards shared.
Due to her illness, Richards often felt different. “I remember being very confused and very sad. I was never in school, I was always in the nurse's office when I was in school, and I felt like everyone remembered me as the girl in the crazy cast,” she explained. “Growing up, I wish I had seen more kids like me in books and stories, but no children’s author wanted to write about handicapped kids. I wish that I had read more inclusive books, not just for disability, but for gender and social status as well."
Richards’ own story is a step in the right direction. “I am not entirely sure when I decided that I was going to publish the poem," she said, "but when I did, there was nothing that was going to stop me.”
Throughout the publishing process, there were moments that discouraged Richards. One in particular was finding an illustrator. “After two illustrators quit on me, I started to complain to my grandfather about how I was never going to publish this story that meant so much to me, because I couldn't find an illustrator,” she explained. “He asked me to read the story for him, and at the end when he had tears in his eyes, I knew I had found my illustrator.”
Despite all of the struggles of finding the right illustrator and then the grueling process of finding a publisher, Richards' accomplishment is something she will always have. “It took a lot of perseverance for me to publish the book, and I know it isn't very humble to say this, but I am proud of myself.”
What does Richards want readers to take away from her book?
“A child is a child, no matter what," she says. "They still dream and they still love.”
'When I Close My Eyes,' the cover of which is above, can be found on Amazon.
When I Close My Eyes
By Karen Richards
When I close my eyes,
I grow wings and fly,
I fly way up high,
up in the sky.
One day, I come across a dragon!
Breathing fire on the villagers cabins!
I cannot let this happen!
I draw out my sword and I tell the dragon — BE GONE!
The dragon looks at me sadly and says “Okay” as it flies away.
The whole village is happy,
except perhaps me,
I have places to be,
I have people to see.
When I say I am leaving,
Everyone cries.
I am sad to leave,
But I cannot stay behind!
With the money I have,
I buy a boat
And sail away.
I’m almost in Madagascar when Blackbeard finds me,
He is big,
He is hairy,
But most of all,
He is scary!
He takes out his sword and says: “may I climb aboard?”
I look at him with shock and say, “Why of course!”
Together we sail the seven seas,
Collecting Treasure completely carefree,
Never have I ever felt so free.
I am rich and
I am happy,
But I know it is time to leave,
I have places to be,
I have people to see.
As day becomes night,
I wish to grow gills and fins so that I can swim
My wish travels across the sea
It is morning when Poseidon finds me.
Poseidon looks at me and says, “so it is you who wishes to swim away with me?”
With a nod of my head, I finally get to swim!
As I leave all my treasure behind,
Poseidon shows me to the lost city of Atlantis!
Oh how enchanting!
I feel so lucky for the adventure I’ve been granted!
The sky,
the earth,
the sea.
There isn’t a thing that I haven’t seen.
When I open my eyes
I realize it’s gone…
The dragon,
Blackbeard,
Poseidon,
And my legs…
I am back in my room,
I am back in my wheelchair,
But I still have wonderful memories of my adventures out there.
This is my bed,
This is my life,
This adventure is different,
Although one thing remains the same
I have places to be
I have people to see.
