A local mom is using her daughter’s love of mermaids, to spread a message about inclusion.
Denay Hooks was inspired to write “The Adventures of Bug and Boo,” when her daughter Hannah, was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome.
Hooks said the neurological disease impairs her daughter’s ability to walk, eat and speak, but that does not stop her from being a normal kid just like everyone else.
“Hannah is just like them,” Hooks said. “She loves mermaids, she loves bows, she likes to watch the same cartoons, go do the same things, but we just have to do things a bit differently to get her involved.”
Hooks said she takes her book to different classrooms and educates kids about what it is like to have special needs, and how children should not be afraid to ask questions.
“By not getting to know somebody because they may do things differently you might be missing out on something incredible,” Hooks said.
Hooks said Hannah understands everything, and loves that her mom wrote a book about her, especially since she gets to become a mermaid in the book.
“When Hannah’s on this adventure she has no limitations, she can swim with fish she can be a mermaid and explore and dream,” Hooks said.
You can purchase the book on Amazon, and a portion of the proceeds goes towards Rett syndrome research.
