Charlottetown-based author Marlene Bryenton said shesa国际传媒檚 thrilled to write storybooks about her grandkids, who include a pair of young Cloverdale-area girls who are the subject of her latest creation, Jayasa国际传媒檚 Magic Wheelchair.

The 24-page book explores how kids in wheelchairs are excluded because they are different, Bryenton says.

sa国际传媒淎ble-bodied children sometimes take their mobility for granted,sa国际传媒� she explained. sa国际传媒淚 believe children can learn from another childsa国际传媒檚 life. I am hoping that Jayasa国际传媒檚 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.sa国际传媒�

Featured in Bryentonsa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淚 discovered that people looked at me differently,sa国际传媒� Bryenton recalled. sa国际传媒淪ome 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.sa国际传媒�

When released this month, Jayasa国际传媒檚 Magic Wheelchair will feature special illustrations of Jaya celebrating her 10th birthday with her two longtime school friends.

sa国际传媒淛ayasa国际传媒檚 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,sa国际传媒� 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.

sa国际传媒淚 have observed all the fun things Jaya is able to do, in spite of being in a wheelchair,sa国际传媒� the author says. sa国际传媒淭his 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.sa国际传媒�

Bryenton aimed to launch Jayasa国际传媒檚 Magic Wheelchair on her 70th birthday Monday (Sept. 21), with .

sa国际传媒淛aya doesnsa国际传媒檛 really understand the whole concept, but what she will understand is when she receives the custom board book,sa国际传媒� Bryenton said. sa国际传媒淪hesa国际传媒檒l be able to flip the pages of a board book, made of cardboard. Itsa国际传媒檚 more durable and it will last, one just for her.sa国际传媒�

The B.C. Physiotherapy Association is sponsoring 100 copies of Jayasa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 been a thrill of a lifetime to do this, really,sa国际传媒� the author added.

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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