Ellie’s story is one I am very familiar with, as it’s largely—medically—based on a moment in my life where I, too, faced a mysterious illness. This story is highly specific to my experience.
This is one story and it cannot be all things to everyone. I know what it is to hunt for yourself on the shelves and the betrayal and frustration that comes from a story being close but just slightly off. The only way to fix that is for more books by disabled people to be published.
When I started writing this book, I made a vow to myself to not sugarcoat the hospital/medical experience. I wanted to write a story that says this is what happens and this is how one teenager can deal with it. I also wanted to write a story that was about love and friendship and how both things can exist at the same time.
That also means this book goes to some heavy places. From being ignored by medical professionals to people dismissing your experiences and even who has final say over your care when you’re a minor.
I know these things can be hard to read when you also have to deal with them in real life, so if you need to skip my book—that’s okay. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing.