Derry woman creates book for newborn niece to discover her 'superpower'

A Derry woman has created a book to help her niece discover she has a ‘superpower’.

Written and illustrated by Bronagh Kearney for her niece Mia and her sister Danielle as a surprise gift following Mia’s birth 10 weeks ago. 

Created as a way to help Mia learn about being born with Scimitar syndrome, a rare congenital heart defect characterised by anomalous venous return from the right lung.

Bronagh said: “I wanted to make a story to say that this isn’t something that will hold her back, but it will be her superpower.

“I thought this was the perfect opportunity to make this a positive thing.

“She required surgery in Dublin to correct one of her lungs, so she will only live with one lung throughout her life, but the doctors have said she will live a completely normal life.

“The only thing the consultant said was that she won’t be an athlete, but we really aren’t an athletic family, so she will fit in and be grand.”

Mia spent seven weeks in Royal Victoria Hospital and was fed through a feeding tube during this time, but Bronagh has said that she is thriving since moving home with her parents. 

(Bronagh Kearney and her niece Mia)

She said: “My dog actually has a lung condition too, getting an inhaler twice a day. It felt like Millie had to be the one to tell Mia that she had this superpower.

“I have suffered from chronic illnesses since I was a teenager, so growing up I’ve had the mindset that ‘I have these illnesses, but they don’t have me’. 

“So once we knew Mia was going to have this condition, and although it is not going to limit her life, I wanted her to know that and make it a positive thing.”

Bronagh spent seven weeks creating the book while her sister and niece were in the hospital. 

The experience has ignited something inside the Derry woman, particularly following the response to her book. 

She said: “I’ve been overwhelmed. I only planned it to be for Danielle and Mia.

“I have always had an interest in stories. I always joked about writing stories about things but never got around to it.

“I did art at school for GCSE, but I didn’t actually pass. I was sick during school, so perhaps I never really got to show off my full potential. 

“But now that I have done it, I would love to continue and write something else, perhaps for sick children, that is positive.

“I would love it if I could get further books published.”