Why I’m Creating This Educational Resource - Story Book,

Children undergoing orthopaedic limb reconstruction or major bone surgery often feel scared, confused and alone. As a Nurse Practitioner specialising in Complex Orthopaedics and limb reconstruction care in Australia, I see firsthand how much children and families struggle to understand their treatment, equipment (such as external frames, internal lengthening nails among many other surgical devices), and the process of their reconstruction recovery journey over months and sometimes years.

What This Project Will Do

My name is Noelle and I am creating a beautiful, evidence-based educational story book for children written through the eyes of Gerri Giraffe a soft toy standing 3 feet tall with an external fixator (frame) on his leg, created and designed to teach children to:

Reduce their fear before surgery and prepare for life in frame and with other device

Explain the rationale for requiring a frame, internal lengthening nail, brace and other device along with hospital and home equipment

Help children understand pain, swelling, wound management, pin site care, and healing

Prepare families for each stage of their reconstruction recovery journey in hospital, at home, and on return to school in frame on crutches or in a wheelchair during lengthy treatment

Support emotional wellbeing, confidence and inclusivity by encouraging hobbies and social opportunity while addressing the difficult stuff - body image, potential for bullying, or feeling different

Why I Need Your Support

Illustration, design and publication costs for a high-quality children’s health education resource are significant. Your contribution will help fund:

Professional illustrations

Book design and layout

ISBN and publishing costs

Printing and distribution

Free or subsidised copies for hospitals, clinics and families in need

How Your Donation Helps

Every donation directly supports the creation and release of this much-needed health educational resource across Australia and New Zealand. You will help children feel safe, informed and empowered during one of the most challenging experiences of their lives.

Thank you for supporting children, families and better orthopaedic health education and reconstruction outcomes.