Cancer survivor writes children's books on difficult topics
More than six years ago, cancer survivor Ryan Arnold says he was certain he was going to die.
In 2015, the now Sault resident was diagnosed with a major tumour in his brain, known as Glioblastoma Multiforme, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.
Doctors told him that he would be gone by the summer of 2016.
After multiple unsuccessful rounds of treatment, specialists were shocked that in early 2020 the tumour was completely gone, s Arnold said Wednesday.
“They kind of put their hand on me and said, 'Ryan, we've never seen anything like this, it's a miracle from God.'"
Arnold began writing as part of his recovery in 2018 and eventually it became therapeutic. He saw it as a way to communicate with his then-young daughter, for when she grew up.
"This was my way of speaking to her from the grave," he said.
The cancer survivor has written nine books, all of which are at the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library. A number of them cover some difficult topics.
“There aren’t a lot of books out there at all that really talked about critical, terminal illness, from a family member death, in a children's area,” Arnold said.
Library CEO Matthew MacDonald said the books are a great addition to their selection.
“He’s written them in a way that’s much easier to understand some of these very difficult concepts for young ages,” MacDonald said.
Arnold's first series, 'I'd Give You My Last Hop,' was written for his daughter.
“Kind of a map to how I wanted her to be raised and to look at, and to have those morals," he said.
"A lot of them talk about standing up to bullying, and a lot of them talk about not looking at people that are different as less than you.”
The author doesn't make any money from his books, with all of the copies at the local library being donated.
He even pays out of pocket to get the stories illustrated.
It costs him roughly $700 for the books to get illustrated and printed, and he said he has multiple stories written, and is waiting until he can save up funds, or receive donations to have them published.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.