I saw a lovely little business card at a co-working space I work in regularly, Desklodge, and it piqued my interest.
I took to the interwebs and read Jess and Jo's story.
Jess has learning and physical disabilities and lives independently in Worcestershire. Jo, her mum, was inspired to write the 'Jess The Goth Fairy' books by Jess's artwork.
Jess is a National Special Olympic gold and silver medallist, has become a member of the Peoples Parliament of Worcestershire for the disabled, helps teach sign language at a day centre, and also works in a garden nursery. Jess wants nothing more than to help others, especially those less able than herself.
I found Jess and Jo so inspiring, I reached out and asked if they would allow me to host them as guests on my blog. To my delight, they agreed and Jo has put together this post.
Jess the Goth fairy
Why did we write our story, where did the inspiration come from?
For me Jess is my inspiration, but for her I wouldn’t be writing this blog and I definitely wouldn’t be the person I am today.
For Jess she wants to help people understand what it is like to be her and her friends.
To tell people as she does when she visits schools, colleges, organisations that listen to her, that it is okay to be different and just because you cannot do exactly the same as everyone else you can still go for that dream, that goal.
Jess has taught me so much and always when I am feeling a bit low I hear her say “Come on mum we can do it never give up!”
I had always wanted to write a children’s book, and through the years of living with Jess, fighting for her rights as a disabled person, endless battles for care and letting her live independently I could have written about the struggles we have had. But despite all this, life with Jess is a joy and if you met her I can guarantee that it wouldn’t be long before you were smiling and laughing with her. Her dad and I say if we could bottle Jess’s smile we would be millionaires!
Jess has done little cartoons all her life and I have kept some. I was looking through these one day and suddenly saw a fairy with crooked wings. I called Jess and in her usual words “Cool mum!” so Jess the Goth fairy was born.
Through a friend we were introduced to someone who had self-published, and very kindly agreed to help us on the very steep and rocky path to publishing our story.
But that was after I had been into book shops to do some research and after talking to some assistants yes there was definitely a gap in the market of young children’s books with characters who had learning disabilities and that all important ‘who look different!’
We funded our first book through Kickstarter (crowdfunding) which I found quite daunting. But if you believe in what you are doing and have the support of people around you then go for it.
One thing I have learnt over the last two years, is do not be afraid to ask for help!
We were astonished when Silverwood Books loved the story and agreed to publish it.
So we were on our way, the publisher sent us work of illustrators and Jess fell in love Emily Daly’s work, a very talented lady who has captured and brought our little fairy to life.
We were then told how much we needed to raise for our first book, gulped and then after lots of tears, laughter, learning to do social media (not my strong point) Just to prove we got there you can follow us on www.facebook.com/jessgothfairy Twitter @JoandJess
Our first book was published on Halloween 2014, my mum’s birthday. Book 2 came out this year in May.
What a roller coaster of a ride we have had over the last two years. From opening the first box, putting our hands on a book with our names on it, to talking to young people, new police officers, GP’s and more. But for me it is watching Jess’s grow in confidence.
To see her stand up in front of 200 children and answer questions such as “Is it hard to be disabled?” To watch people snigger and point, yet by the end of the talk they are gathering around Jess wanting to chat with her. That for me is pure magic!
We want to spread our fairy dust even further to help everyone understand the positives of being disabled and not the negatives that is so often the case.
Recently we have become involved with a national scheme called Safe Places, which helps vulnerable people stay safe when out and about.
We have also been asked to join a dementia project by the Macintyre Charity, who are Jess’s fantastic care provider.
We are also booked for our first talk to the WI next year and are absolutely thrilled. Animation has even been talked about, something I know even less about, but never say never!
So you can see that not only have we published our first two books (book 3 is on the way) our journey has taken to places we were not expecting a real magical mystery tour and we have met some wonderful people along the way and hope to meet many more.
If you would like us to come and see you please have a look at our website www.jessthegothfairy.com leave us a message there or on Facebook, we will try and get back to you as soon as possible.
You will also find more information about Jess and myself and links to Amazon and our publisher should you like to purchase the books.
If you have a dream no matter how small, if you believe in it then go for it. Don’t struggle by yourself, there are people out there who want to help.
If they don’t they will say no and there are others to turn to. I have learnt so much these last two years not only about myself but others as well. But if ever I start to doubt in myself I just look at Jess who puts 110% into her life even when the going gets tough!
Good luck
Jess and Jo
A huge THANK YOU to Jess and Jo for contributing.
Connect with them on:
Website
Help others with learning and physical disabilities like Jess to live happy and independent lives by donating to MacIntyre
Get the 'Jess The Goth Fairy' books here - a fantasitc Christmas present!
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