What is your book, Don’t Be Afraid: He’s Preparing You! about?

          My book is about the eighteen-year journey of my oldest son, Kevin.  When he was 10-months old, he was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, cancerous tumors in both of his eyes.

When did you begin writing and what led you to finally publishing your book?

        I began writing about this experience while it was happening.  At the time, I did not know that I would be publishing this book.  I always kept a diary, I guess since I was in middle school.  So, it was not out of the ordinary for me to write down my daily experiences about my son’s illness.

          One day, I heard the voice of the Lord tell me to get up early in the morning and start putting together everything that I had written and everything I could remember about my son’s battle with cancer.  There were times that I’d wake up at 3AM and couldn’t find anything to write on, so I’d grab a napkin so I could write down what God was saying to me.  A lot of the pages in my book were written on napkins, torn pieces of paper, and many other odd things, like the back of receipts, etc.  There were times I’d have to pull over on the side of the road because I wanted to write down exactly what God had revealed to me.  I’ve learned that when God starts talking, you must start writing, or you’ll forget what He said as you step into the business of the day.

What is the simple advice or theme of your book?

        Do not make a final determination about your today, out of fear for your tomorrow.  You do not know what tomorrow holds.

 What kind of support or encouragement did you find for people with special needs?

        Right after Kevin had his eyes removed, we were introduced to the President of Parents of Blind Children, a division of The National Federation of the Blind.  This organization provided resources and activities for Kevin to participate in, such as toys for children with sight-impairments, opportunities for him to interact with other children with sight-impairments, special equipment that made his daily activities easier, and they provided advice for my husband, Kevin Sr. and myself as well.

Howdid you know that your son’s eyesight was challenged?

WhenKevin was 6-months old, I noticed that his left eye would not quite follow hisright eye, it was pointed a little toward his nose. I took him to his pediatrician and he saidthat because Kevin was young, his eyes had not adjusted and that he’d outgrowit. When Kevin was 10-months old, myhusband and I took him to a ophthalmologist, which revealed bilateral, meaning in both eyes, Retinoblastoma.