Hull: 'Inspirational' blind woman pens first children's book

Author pins hopes on Donkey tales

CAPTION: "FANTASTIC BUZZ: Author Jill Storey shows her recently published children's book, The Adventures of Honkey and Tonkey, to niece Emily, aged three."

A BLIND woman says she has triumphed over her disability by having a children's book published.

Jill Storey, 38, of west Hull, has penned The Adventures Of Honkey And Tonkey, which comprises two short stories. The bedtime tales describe the adventures of three loveable but mischievous donkeys, Honkey, Tonkey and Stripy, as they investigate their surroundings. Divorcee Jill, who caught a mystery illness and lost her sight in 1978, started writing short stories in December 2004. She said: "In 2001, I purchased a computer. It was the best thing I have ever done. If it wasn't for the computer, I'm sure I'd have gone mad. "I was inspired to write them just by chatting about beach donkeys with a couple of friends. I was bored and wanted something to do." The book, which is illustrated by colourful sketches, has already proved a hit with Jill's three-year-old niece, Emily Brewster. Jill, who also has Sjögren's Syndrome - an autoimmune disease - said: "Emily loves it. She will sit down with me and listen to the stories. To her, of course, all donkeys are called Honkey. The author, who is unable to work because of her condition, has some advice for others - disabled and able-bodied. She said: "If you have a dream, then just chase it and get on with it. You will never get anything done if you just sit around all day. "I loved walking into Waterstones bookshop and asking for a copy of my book. "It was a fantastic buzz. I had always wanted to write a book and have it published." Emma Williamson, of Milton Keynes publisher Author House, said: "Jill is a lovely lady. She has shown a great amount of courage and determination. She has shown that people with a disability can achieve great things." Ann Massam, of the Hull and East Riding Institute for the Blind in Beverley Road, Hull, said: "It's wonderful that Jill has published this book. She is an inspiration to others with a disability. "This will give hope to an awful lot of people in Hull. Your life does not stop just because you have a disability. "Lots of blind people have computers that 'talk' to users, enabling people to communicate more easily and allowing them to write stories."

The book is available from Waterstones in Hull or from the Author House website listed below.

k.shoesmith@hdmp.co.uk

Links

Author House

www.authorhouse.co.uk

Royal National Institute for the Blind

www.rnib.org.uk

THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE HULL DAILY MAIL, FRIDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2006.

Contact Jill Storey, for further details at jill@worrybead.karoo.co.uk

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