The Girl with Gills

The three legged dog appeared out of nowhere. His bark fierce and his eyes 

concentrating on the flesh of my calf.  Although I expected this dog to try and

stop me from riding my bike past his house he always managed to frighten the 

begibbies out of me.  Each time my brothers, sister, and I attempted to ride our 

bikes out to the country club to swim when we were kids this three legged dog 

gave it his best shot in catching one of us. 

My brothers, sister, and I grew up swimming. We didn’t take swimming lessons,

and our parents never showed us how to swim. We spent our summers riding our

bikes to the County Club to swim, play golf, eat frozen snickers, chow on baskets

of french fries, and play the old piano in the huge empty room overlooking the

golf course.  If we were lucky, and our grandma was playing golf or bridge at the

country club she would give us a  ride. Otherwise we were on our own. We would

peddle our bikes out of town two miles, around the curves, and up and down the

hills. We knew the final hill was approaching as soon as we saw  the old rickety 

bridge crossing the small creek.  By then we were ready to wait for the golfers to

hit their balls up the hill. Then  we could make it up the final hill on our bikes to 

the pool. It never bothered us too much to wait. Sometimes we needed that extra 

rest to recover from peddling to escape the three legged dog. 

The summer months at the pool when I was a kid and life guarding as a teenager

were some of my happiest memories of my youth.  

Me with Meghann

It was only natural my daugter, Meghann would love swimming as much as I did.

And she did not disappoint me.  She wanted to swim all day and every day rain

or shine. Her arms would be doing the swimming motion as soon as the weather

turned warm, and I started working on opening our pool.  It was hard to convince

her to wait until the water was warm enough to swim. Thank goodness for solar

blankets and heaters.

Megahnn

Our summers swimming was exhausting!!!

And we had a blast!!!  

Meghann and cousin Peyton

Meghann and cousin Andrew

Meghann and Alexis

Meghann in Florida at the beach.

When I decided to write a children’s book my first idea was to write an inspirational

story of a girl who loved to swim and happen to be in a wheelchair.  How could I not

write about Meghann’s love to swim?  Writing about Meghann is what I have done and
continue to do to this day !!!

One sleepless night CUZ, I CAN popped into my mind. Although I was excited

to finish my original idea about Meghann’s love to swim I felt CUZ, I CAN needed

to be finished first. I am so glad I decided to write CUZ, I CAN. It not only gave me

the experience of self-publishing it gave me the inspiration to complete my first story. 

amazon.com/author/jillmaglioryan

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Cuz+I+can&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss

Today I would like to introduce my new book entitled
THE GIRL WITH GILLS
  Meggeriffic

A little about the book

Meggeriffic is a girl who spends her entire summer dreaming about joining

the swim team with her best friend, Abby. Meghann has her own unique way of

navigating through life, but these differences don't stop Meghann from dreaming

or from being Abby's best friend. Learn how Meghann figures out how to use

her talents to convince the swim coach to give her a chance despite her differences.

But will Meghann decide she is willing to struggle through an uncomfortable

situation to achieve her long awaited dream of joining the school swim team?

Or will she give up?

Back cover of Girl with Gills

This is a 43 page book with 4700 words and illustrations. If your little one can't read yet
don't worry. This is a feel good story for children of all ages to

enjoy and learn something about working to make your dreams

come true.




I hope this story inspires, educates, and teaches everyone dreams are possible.

Available on Amazon today.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0875ZTFD9/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

amazon.com/author/jillmaglioryan

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0875ZTFD9

Inside peek of The Girl with Gills

PAGE ONE 

THE GIRL WITH GILLS

Check out the Girl with Gills Meggeriffic on Amazon.

                                       amazon.com/author/jillmaglioryan

Feel free to share my post and don't forget to follow me

on my blog and at author central on amazon.

                                           amazon.com/author/jillmaglioryan

Thank you

Meg loved to ride her bike. This was her third adaptive bike. 

Every month I plan a different topic for my blog that interest me and 

 readers. This blog  was going to be about being grateful

for the amount of sales my children’s book CUZ, I CAN sold.

However things have shifted in the world. The covid-19 has

jolted the world into a quarantine. Social distancing is a new word

in our vocabulary. Zoom is the new way to gather for work and

leisure.  This new "normal" made me question what to write about.

I wondered "Should I write about something positive when

so many people are suffering in the world with this awful virus? It seems

wrong or does it?"

My answer to my own question is ....... "HECK YES !!!"

We need to continue to share positive things with each other, to celebrate life,

to have hope, and to give thanks. 

In today’s blog I am going to do the number one thing on my list of gratitude.

I am going to share in my blog a little bit of happiness and positivity.

Below is what you shared with me over the last few months. 

Let's celebrate CUZ, I CAN together. CUZ WE Can !!!  

Ready for delivery to KCCDD in Galesburg Il. The workshop Meg attended.

YOU made it happen!!  The sales are beyond my hope and dreams.  

The back cover of CUZ, I CAN

I challenge you to keep smiling as you begin looking at what

happen with this BIG yellow book CUZ, I CAN.  Kindness, laughter,

happiness, sharing, and SMILES happened !!! 

I know Meghann is smiling too !!

Easter Seals in Peoria Il. where Meghann received services. 

Dell computer

Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2020

What a wonderful book! I'm keeping a copy for my family and I'm donating one to my school library where I teach! I'll be waiting for your next book!

My sweet Kamal

 AB

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2020

Amazing book that tells how those with disabilities can do whatever they put their minds too!

I've read it to my son many times and bought a few others to take to daycare and share with

other friends! Just buy it...you won't be disappointed!

Andrew and Peyton from Maine and Pittsburgh.

The one and only, Miss Karlie !!!

Easter Seals

 J. C. Powelson

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2020 Amazon

This heartwarming story follows Meghann, who was born with cerebral palsy, through her day to

day life. The story is told in a way that shows Meghann's true determined spirit, as she rises

to the challenges of living with cerebral palsy while having such a positive attitude. This book

does a great job of raising awareness of cerebral palsy for both younger readers and adults alike.

Kewanee Il.

Pekin Illinois

Tamalie Francisco 

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2020

Nice little book. I think kids will enjoy it.

Pennsylvania

 M. Watson

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2020

This book perfectly captures the creativity involved in being differently-abled in a typical world.

With a little ingenuity, there are no limits! The author explores many recreational opportunities

that may not look exactly the same, but end with the same results. There's a very cute play on

words going on as well, with "cuz" used to refer to her cousin, and to replace the word "because."

A thoroughly lovely and enjoyable read!

Johnson City Illinois

Easter Seals in Peoria Illinois 

Italy

Princeton Illinois

Tiskilwa Library

Delaware

 

Karen

Peyton (CUZ) and Aunt Valerie (V) with Meghann

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https://parentingcelebratingsmallsteps.blogspot.com/


                                                           Coming soon 

My next children's book entitled 

                             The Girl with Gills
                                     Meggeriffic 
                  

  

CUZ, I CAN

On June 27, 1987 I gave birth to my daughter, Meghann. I was over the

moon to become a mother. I am not ashamed to say I was even happier

that I had a girl. Meghann was welcomed with enthusiasm by my entire

family. I was ready to spoil this little girl with all of the typical girl “stuff.” 

My family was too. They started spoiling Meghann before she even left

the hospital. Our hospital room was filled with pink dresses, shoes, flowers,

blankets, and more. 

Almost a year later, Meghann was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Many of

the dreams I had as a parent changed. Although some of the things I had

planned on were not going to happen for her, I accepted it. I concentrated

on the things Meghann could do. I learned quickly with a little creativity that

anything was possible. Cerebral palsy would not stop us from doing

everything Meghann and I wanted to experience. 

One day I decided to get a library card for Meghann. It was during this trip

that I discovered that there were no books available about children who

had different abilities. It was during that moment that I thought to myself.  

“I need to write a children’s book about differently abled children.” 

Of course at the time, I was working full time and raising Meghann. I put

the thought of writing in the back of my mind. Over the years the thought

occasionally crept back into my head. Like many of us I ignored it. 

It was only after I decided to move on from Cosmetology and go back to

school that it popped into my head again and didn’t leave. 

With my husband, Dan’s, encouragement I started writing stories, and

I have continued to write stories to this day. 

When Dan suggested I write a blog, I thought “Why not?” ( Until I posted it)

I was a little nervous but faced that fear and did it!!!

 I wrote my first blog on July 13, 2015.

https://parentingcelebratingsmallsteps.blogspot.com/2015/07/detourproceed-with-caution.html

Over the years, I have written about my daughter, Meghann. I  have

blogs that have been read by people from Germany, Australia, Nigeria,

Portugal and most recently Cameroon. I watched as my blog reached

over 2,100 people at times. It has been the most rewarding experience

for me. 

During this time, I continued writing stories and ideas down on my laptop. 

I secretly hoped that someday I would be brave enough to make a

children’s book. 

And.......that day has arrived !!!

Today on my blog, I want to introduce my first book available to the public.

It is entitled MEGGERIFFIC: CUZ, I CAN 

Why is she in a wheelchair? Why can’t she walk? What’s wrong with her?

Why can’t she talk? How does she play if she can’t walk? 

These are some of the questions that I was asked when I was raising my

daughter, Meghann. If you have heard these questions from your child or

someone close to you how did you answer the questions? Here is the answer.

Allow this book help you with these questions.  It is never too early to learn

about differing-abled individuals.

I know I will not become a millionaire selling

this book and that is fine. This is not my goal.

I want to raise awareness and inspire all

people that anything is possible.

By the look of the SMILES in pictures I have

been receiving I think the book is working.

Follow along with Meghann as she

uses visual aids to show some of the

fancy and unique ways she has fun

with her cousin, Peyton. 

The Amazon link for 

                                    CUZ, I CAN

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1659218780/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Cuz%2C+I+can&qid=1579630054&s=books&sr=1-1

I hope this book will give all children, regardless of their abilities, the courage

to follow their dreams CUZ, THEY CAN. 

Meghann's cousins Andrew and Peyton. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1659218780/
ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Cuz%2C+I+CAN&qid=1579630997&s
=books&sr=1-1


amazon.com/author/jillmaglioryan