A WOMAN who has bravely battled trauma and a rare brain condition is now looking to turn one of her poems into a children’s story in memory of a young girl who died.
Nicola Newell, who writes under the pseudonym Nicola Rachel, published her very first poetry book My Thoughts Exactly! last November.
The 36-year-old, from Colchester, started writing poetry as a way of coping with the impact her numerous medical conditions have on her day-to-day life.
Among other ailments, she has chronic joint problems, a brain illness called idiopathic intracranial hypertension and PTSD.
Nicola, who had anxiety and depression and attends therapy, is now exploring ways of publishing a children’s book inspired by a poem she wrote about Erin Sadler.
The inspiring nine-year-old, who had survived sepsis, a haemorrhage and heart attack, and had blood, kidney, liver and heart disease, died in December.
Nicola said: “The poem was about when Erin had convinced her mum Helen, her grandad and herself she had swallowed a small ornamental ladybird called Jackie.
READ MORE: Colchester girl Erin Sadler, 9, celebrated during poignant ceremony
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“After phone calls to the hospital assessment unit and frantically looking for it, her grandad found it in the pocket of the dressing gown he was wearing.
“She’d slipped it in his pocket when he wasn’t looking - the story made me laugh so much and it really captured Erin’s cheeky personality.
“The lady who illustrated the first book and helped me massively with it, Debbie Harvey, and myself are now going to turn it into a children’s book featuring Erin.”
Like so many others, Nicola, who can often find herself becoming quite ill, says she became in awe of Erin as soon as she first read about her.
From that moment until when Erin was laid to rest following a celebration of life ceremony, she had closely followed her journey, through both the highs and lows.
“I was at the hospital one day and was feeling pretty down in the dumps but then I saw Helen and I couldn’t believe it - I felt kind of starstruck but I just had to say hello.
“I walked over and explained how to me Erin was my superstar – she changed my outlook on life because she had every reason in life to give up but she didn’t.
“She spent everyday living it her way - she was strong, courageous, witty, and caring.”
Once Nicola’s book is published, all proceeds from sales will be donated to the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, which cared for Erin.
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