Finley presenting our Kids Team with a copy of his book
"Surgery Time" by Finley
It’s not every day you have a budding author in your presence, but that was exactly the case at our East Melbourne Kids Ward late last year when seven-year-old Finley visited us to have hip surgery under the care of Professor Leo Donnan.
Experiencing ongoing hip issues since a baby, Finley’s latest review saw him undergoing a surgery called ‘varus femoral osteotomy’ which involves shortening the femur or thigh bone and repositioning it back in the correct position in the hip joint.
Spending three nights in our Kids Ward following surgery, Finley later went home to recover only to surprise us with a return visit and presentation of our very own ‘Surgery Time’ book which he wrote and illustrated himself.
Mum Sisi explains...
“Finley spent eight weeks in a wheelchair recovering from his surgery and when he expressed the idea of wanting to create a book to help other kids undergoing surgery, I thought it would be a great way to keep him busy, especially as he was missing out on school.
Finley devised the overall concept – including the idea of breaking it into three sections – “Arriving at Hospital,” “When the Surgery is Done” and “Going Home”- and decided which information to include. With a little help from his Dad and AI for the illustrations, it was all ready to be printed and presented to the amazing Kids Ward Team – which Finley enjoyed just as much as writing the book itself.”
Early drafts of Finley's masterpiece in progress!
Finley with St Vincent's Kids Nurse Unit Manager, Ros
Nurse Unit Manager Ros says...
Chuffed to be presented with their own copy of Finley’s book by the author himself, Associate Nurse Unit Manager, Ros, says the book has already been put to good use on the Ward.
“Finley’s book has been a great resource to have on hand and with his blessing, we have plans to print more copies so they can help even more children and families visiting us. Of course, we might have to get the author to sign them too, just so we have proof one day when he’s a world famous author that we discovered him first!”
