Katie can do.. and you can too + giveaway!
Last week I went with a group from my church to make dinner at the Ronald McDonald home for CHOC patients and families who are in critical condition. If you happen to live in an area with a Ronald McDonald house I highly recommend doing this. It was a fantastic experience. These opportunities really put things into perspective and having good health becomes so appreciated. I had the privilege to hang out that night with an amazing 3 year old boy with Spina Bifida. He has had about 13 surgeries through out his short life and still smiles while perfectly wheeling himself around.
This sweet boy Aidan reminded me of a friend Katie Hull who was also born with Spina Bifida. When I told Aidan and his mom about her they happened to know each other! Katie’s mom Sarah and I were college room mates. Sarah has always had a positive attitude about life that inspires all those around her. Katie is certainly her mother’s child and has the same zest for life. Happy and positive in all she does, never letting her disability get in the way. I am truly honored to introduce our readers to Katie today!
Katie Hull is a ten-year-old girl who lives in California with her Mom, Dad, little sister and brother. She was born with a neurological defect called Spina Bifida. Although Katie was born with paralysis of the feet and partial paralysis of her legs, she uses a wheelchair and other adaptive equipment in order to accomplish her goals.
Katie competes in wheelchair races, surfs with organizations like “Life Rolls On” and “Oceans Healing Group,” plays wheelchair basketball, enjoys adaptive skiing in Big Bear and loves to swim! In 2012, Katie served as Little Miss Wheelchair, California. She is a strong advocate for children with disabilities and has organized disability awareness assemblies in her school and has also been a guest speaker at a number of events.
Last year Katie had to have two major surgeries. One on her spinal cord and the second on her hip. While in a hospital bed during her six week recovery, Katie heard word of a little girl who used a wheelchair like herself, but was angry all the time because she was in a chair. Katie thought that maybe this little girl did not realize all the things she CAN do. She was too focused on all the things she CAN’T do. While in a hospital bed, Katie got out her notebook and started writing down some note about having a can do attitude. Soon those notes turned into a story, that was recently published into a book called “Katie Can Do… and You Can Too!” Katie’s hope is that this story will touch others who might need to be uplifted and reminded to focus on the things they CAN do.
Katie’s can-do attitude, work ethic, and uniquely positive approach have spurred her to achievements and helps to motivate others around her. Through her book, Katie CAN do…and you CAN too!, she hopes to inspire others to achieve their goals, too. Katie’s dream career is to be an author, illustrator and work in the hospital as a Child Life Specialist.
Book Description
Katie CAN do…and you CAN too! is a heartfelt lesson for children and grown-ups about what is possible. With hard work, a can-do attitude, and a positive approach to life, anything is possible. The book is easy to read, teaches about Spina Bifida, and lifts the spirit. Full of beautiful photos and Katie’s narration, this book succeeds at being inspirational, hopeful, and best of all…fun.
Katie hopes that readers will enjoy her book and her story. She has shared her personal journey in order to help inspire others, with and without visible challenges, to work hard, remain positive, and hold true to a can-do attitude. Katie can do
, and you can too!
, and you can too!
For more information about Katie and her book please visit:
Katie would like to give one lucky L&L reader TWO copies of her book! One for their personal library and one for their classroom or school library! This book is a must read for every child!
To enter: please leave a comment with your email address.
This Thanksgiving I feel so much gratitude for allowing me to learn from these sweet children. They are inspiring and huge examples to me.
XOXO SUMMER
To enter: please leave a comment with your email address.
This Thanksgiving I feel so much gratitude for allowing me to learn from these sweet children. They are inspiring and huge examples to me.
XOXO SUMMER
Comments & Replies
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Go Katie! Love this! Would like to share the book with my daughter’s peers, teachers and therapists. mandywatkins@gmail.com
What a great giveaway! jessica_2oo3@hotmail.com
Email- jacklynhaleua@gmail.com
I would love this book for my niece Alexia, who has spina bifida. She has been such a blessing in our lives. She was able to have prenatal surgery to give her a higher chance of walking without aid. She is 2 years old and has recently started using a walker. She is still primarily crawling which is its own miracle. Alexia and her mother are the hardest working people I know. There is a lot if hard work to do, many more tears if joy and exhaustion, and countless miracles to come. These two are my heroes!
my email address is zenaida_jmnz@yahoo.com
My daughter Cristia Isabel is 6 years old and she has rett syndrome. In short she has a bright mind in a body that doesn’t work. She is on a wheel chair. She can’t speak, she can’t use her hands properly but she communicates with eye gaze. Even thought the list goes on she always shows us she is a child before everything, she is fierce, she has the heart of a lion and she never, never gives up. When I see my daughter I believe the “The sky is the limit”.
Wow–what an amazing little girl. So very inspiring, thank you for sharing!!
my neice has retinoblastoma and even at 4 and all she has been through – she allows this amazing personality to shine through. i would love to win this book to share with her and her parents! megan.a.fasel@gmail.com
I have a grandson with cerebral palsy. he is 3 yrs old and his mom and dad have the same attitude. focus on what you can do! Katie you are a great inspiration to all adults and children. You are destine to do great things in your life.