Kids across the country will have access to a book written and illustrated by Vermonters, to help them navigate their critical illnesses and select a once-in-a-lifetime gift from a well-known nonprofit.Jamie Heath of Barre wrote the book “Wishes are Medicine! How Make-A-Wish Gave Me Hope and Helped Me Heal.” It’s an autobiographical story illustrated by Leonard Wells Kenyon and is about how Make-A-Wish Vermont granted Jamie’s wish to swim with sea turtles in Hawaii.Through a new partnership, the book is being distributed to Make-A-Wish chapters nationwide, in both English and Spanish. It comes with a workbook designed to help wish recipients facing life-threatening illnesses figure out what they want for their wish.The author, who now works for Make-A-Wish Vermont, told NBC5 News she hopes her story and the workbook help families feel like they are not alone in navigating the treatments for their illnesses.“From the first email that the parents get to the end of the wish, and even past the end of the wish, we are always in the process and talking with the family and helping them through this tough time,” Heath said of the work of the nonprofit organization.Heath went on to say that she views the book as part of that supportive process.“It helps encourage kids to dream, encourage kids to dig deep into themselves and what they are passionate about,” Heath said of the book and workbook. “My favorite part about working here and working on wishes is seeing wish kids smile in their darkest times, and I feel that this book is able to do that.”The national book distribution was funded by Instrumart, a South Burlington-based company that has engineers and experts on staff to help customers pick the right precision tools and parts for their needs.“Jamie’s book is not only inspirational, but acts as a child’s guide on the first steps of their wish journey,” Instrumart president Brian Leffler, who also serves as the board chair of Make-A-Wish Vermont, said in a news release. “The employees and leadership of Instrumart are proud to help expand the reach of her uplifting message and support Make-A-Wish’s mission to grant life-changing wishes to children facing critical illness.”Heath said she had two strokes as a kid because of a blood vessel problem that required treatment with radiation.The author told NBC5 News she is in great health today, noting that she loves emphasizing that positive outcome to many children with critical illnesses as part of the nonprofit’s goal to uplift wish kids with messages of hope and resilience.To obtain a copy of “Wishes are Medicine! How Make-A-Wish Gave Me Hope and Helped Me Heal,” contact the Make-A-Wish Vermont office at (802) 864-9393.
Kids across the country will have access to a book written and illustrated by Vermonters, to help them navigate their critical illnesses and select a once-in-a-lifetime gift from a well-known nonprofit.
Jamie Heath of Barre wrote the book “Wishes are Medicine! How Make-A-Wish Gave Me Hope and Helped Me Heal.” It’s an autobiographical story illustrated by Leonard Wells Kenyon and is about how Make-A-Wish Vermont granted Jamie’s wish to swim with sea turtles in Hawaii.
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Through a new partnership, the book is being distributed to Make-A-Wish chapters nationwide, in both English and Spanish. It comes with a workbook designed to help wish recipients facing life-threatening illnesses figure out what they want for their wish.
The author, who now works for Make-A-Wish Vermont, told NBC5 News she hopes her story and the workbook help families feel like they are not alone in navigating the treatments for their illnesses.
“From the first email that the parents get to the end of the wish, and even past the end of the wish, we are always in the process and talking with the family and helping them through this tough time,” Heath said of the work of the nonprofit organization.
Heath went on to say that she views the book as part of that supportive process.
“It helps encourage kids to dream, encourage kids to dig deep into themselves and what they are passionate about,” Heath said of the book and workbook. “My favorite part about working here and working on wishes is seeing wish kids smile in their darkest times, and I feel that this book is able to do that.”
The national book distribution was funded by Instrumart, a South Burlington-based company that has engineers and experts on staff to help customers pick the right precision tools and parts for their needs.
“Jamie’s book is not only inspirational, but acts as a child’s guide on the first steps of their wish journey,” Instrumart president Brian Leffler, who also serves as the board chair of Make-A-Wish Vermont, said in a news release. “The employees and leadership of Instrumart are proud to help expand the reach of her uplifting message and support Make-A-Wish’s mission to grant life-changing wishes to children facing critical illness.”
Heath said she had two strokes as a kid because of a blood vessel problem that required treatment with radiation.
The author told NBC5 News she is in great health today, noting that she loves emphasizing that positive outcome to many children with critical illnesses as part of the nonprofit’s goal to uplift wish kids with messages of hope and resilience.
To obtain a copy of “Wishes are Medicine! How Make-A-Wish Gave Me Hope and Helped Me Heal,” contact the Make-A-Wish Vermont office at (802) 864-9393.
