From Survivor to Storyteller

Thankfully, I have now been cured for 10 whole years! That’s a very big milestone, finally crossing the finish line after a long, hard marathon. A couple years ago, when I was ten years old, I decided I wanted to tell my story and inspire other people going through challenges. I wanted to pay it forward. That’s when I wrote my first book called “She Warrior” which went into detail about everything from my diagnosis to recovery. It was an interesting process to write my book, I was going back to all those hard memories and making them into something hopeful and inspiring. I was only three when I had cancer so I did have to ask my mom a couple questions about what exactly happened but I remembered pretty well. Sometimes, the memories don’t stay but the emotions and feelings do.

I was asked to come on many morning shows to discuss my book. Some of which were CNN and Global News. It was a crazy experience. How many kids can say that they got the chance to talk on shows that reach so many people? It was truly incredible. I was asked many times why I chose to write my story and I answered the same each time. I woke up one morning and realized I had a story and life experience that not many people have. I wanted to bring hope to those going through similar hardships. 

I’ll admit, having had cancer, and having written my book, I do sometimes feel different then other kids. I feel like I don’t really fit in very well sometimes but I never regret writing my book. I think what I said was important and I hope that it gives hope to the people reading it. Having cancer definitely shaped who I am today. I think it made me stronger but I also think it helps me appreciate the little things that others don’t. For example, being healthy, a happy family, and not being in the hospital. So yes, having cancer wasn’t ideal but I guess you could say I took lemons and made lemonade.

 A year later, after I had published my first book, I published my second book “The Sweet Revolution: A tale of food, friendship, and freedom". It was a political satire on U.S politics where all the characters were food items. 

I am quite interested in politics and I wrote this book at the time of the U.S elections. The “United Cakes” had fallen into disrepair because of its awful leader, Donald Crumpet. Guig and her friend Joe Buttercream must work together to win the elections and make the United Cakes a great place again.

It was in honour of my sister Giulietta because anything to do with food makes her laugh. I adore my sister because she is so funny and nice. We always read books together before bed and I thought I could write one just for her. She is one of my best friends not only because she lets me borrow her clothes, but because we always read together, play together, and laugh together.