Inspired by injured birds, 13-year-old writing book about autistic brother

When Regina Wood and her family moved to Dublin from Naples, Florida, a few years ago, the group took a liking to the Fairview Park Hospital walking track. The idyllic scene set by the pond and fountains reminded them of their previous home and the people they left behind.

“We didn’t have any friends or family here, and this park became part of our community,” Wood said. “It is beautiful. We came here every day.”

The location would soon serve as more than just a reminder of a past home, but, particularly to Wood’s 13-year-old daughter Holly, a representation of the family itself. During one of their recent visits to the track, Holly spied a one-winged goose and a duck with a misshaped beak. 

The animal duo, which she named Broken Wing and Twisted Beak – and how the other waterfowl behaved around them – reminded her of her younger brother Jack, who has level 3 non-verbal autism. 

“The first one I noticed was the goose with the broken wing,” Holly said. “He’s different than the rest of the geese. He’s pretty much alone, none of the others seem to know what to do when Broken Wing is around.” 

Level 3 is the most severe classification of autism, a neurodevelopmental disability, and requires lifelong support for daily activities. Autism has gotten much attention as documented cases have soared over the past 20 years. The condition is diagnosed on a spectrum from high-functioning patients to those who require various therapies and treatments.  

“Autism and other disabilities are on the rise,” Holly said. “People need to know about them, and understand what they are.”  

Over the past few weeks Holly has been hard at work drafting her book. The story includes themes of inclusivity and learning to cope with and understand differences. 

“If someone with a disability reads this, I want them to know that they are not the only one struggling with something like that,” Holly said. “And I want people to know that there are plenty of people around with disabilities.”

When the writing is complete, Holly, also a budding artist, will illustrate the book. Though she prefers abstract art, she has been practicing her realism, sketching the ducks and geese at the park. 

Meanwhile Wood is working on a project of her own, a guide on how to travel with children with disabilities. Jack, 11, can be aggressive if agitated. Wood is crafting a how-to guide, based on her experiences, on traveling everywhere from across town to out of state.

The guide will include simple safety reminders, like how to stay calm in hectic situations, and even tips on how to interact with police officers in traffic stops. 

“It’s to let parents know how to get from point A to point B with your child,” she said. “You have to be careful when you are driving, you don’t want to hurt anybody or get in an accident.”

Above all Wood wants Jack to be better understood and other families facing similar situations to know they can lead fulfilling lives. 

“I want other women, other families, to know these things,” she said. “If their baby is different, it’s not a bad thing. You can still live a productive life in society.”