The Mount Gambier Library will host local author and mother Kay Mitchell on Thursday at City Hall, for the launch of her book ‘Jaii’s Journey; My boy with a broken wing’, an inspirational true story told from a mother’s view.
The book tells the story of a tiny baby from India adopted into the Mitchell family in 1980.
Eagerly awaiting the Qantas flight into Adelaide, the Mitchell family was thrown into shock when a critically ill baby was officially handed over to them.
“We rushed to the Adelaide Children’s Hospital where doctors wearing protective garments examined our tiny, malnourished baby that we had waited three years for,” Ms Mitchell said.
Medical opinions suggested the baby had no chance of survival with multiple diagnoses including pneumonia, a collapsed lung, heart murmur, blindness, dehydration and malnutrition, but Jaii survived the night and continued to fight for survival.
The Mitchell family faced years of emotional heartbreak, with ongoing medical emergencies that were delivered with various date stamps of life expectancy or at the least, quality of life, however Jaii overcame a brain haemorrhage, a near drowning experience, spinal surgery and 153 hospital admissions.
For Ms Mitchell, her life became a constant battle – with doctors, with understanding every new medical crisis, pleading for treatment, the fight for Jaii’s right for an education and place in life.
She began writing ‘Jaii’s Journey’ 15 years ago.
“This story was always intended to be published when ‘it’ was over,” Ms Mitchell said.
“There was never any doubt it should end sooner rather than later.
So far, it has a beginning and a middle to the story, but no ending yet.”
With Jaii celebrating his 42nd birthday earlier this month, the book is dedicated the strength and determination of a little boy who survived against all odds.
A true story written with love, passion, sensitivity, a touch of humour, but also at times, anger, frustration and raw emotion.
The event starts at 7pm and is free to attend.
Bookings are required and can be made by contacting Mount Gambier Library on 08 8721 2540.
Copies of Jaii’s Story will be available for sale for $25.
