Survivor of Rare Disease Jenifer Gershman Releases Children's Book Where Did Mommy's Superpowers Go?

May 18, 2011 - PRLog -- BOSTON, MA – Boston author and amyloidosis survivor Jenifer Gershman in partnership with Sweet Dreams Publishing of Massachusetts announced today the release of her new book “Where Did Mommy’s Superpowers Go?,” a heartwarming story for all parents struggling to balance a serious health crisis while caring for small children.

The book was created as a result of Gershman’s own personal experience.  In 2007, at the age of 38, Gershman was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare, life-threatening disease.  The most effective treatment available was an aggressive course of high-dose chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. Gershman endured not just one, but two rounds of this intense medical therapy…first in 2007, and again in 2008.  Gershman’s son, Jason, was only four years-old at the time of her diagnosis, and she struggled with a way to prepare him for her extended absence, as well as the obvious changes in her physical appearance and abilities which he would undoubtedly notice.

Gershman searched in vain for an appropriate book to help guide her conversation with Jason, but the only books available described conditions different from her own.  As a solution, Gershman decided to create a book which is not disease-specific, and can be used by any patient, regardless of diagnosis.

“It can be frightening for children to hear that a parent or family member is seriously ill, and difficult for grown-ups to tell them,” Gershman explains.  “Where Did Mommy’s Superpowers Go? is intended to support children who are coping with a critically ill family member.  I wanted to write a book that would make this conversation easier, but also engage the child’s interest in a positive way.  No particular disease or treatment is specified, so the story can apply to a multitude of rare diseases for which there are scarce resources.”

Lisa Akoury-Ross, founder of Sweet Dreams Publishing of Massachusetts, states, “I was thrilled to help Jenifer make her book a reality.  I believe the children’s book market will truly benefit from this new resource, and parents will find Gershman’s truthful but upbeat story-telling manner to be just the right approach for families who are facing a difficult road ahead.”

“Where Did Mommy’s Superpowers Go?” is available online at www.barnesandnoble.com and www.amazon.com.  The book may also be purchased at www.tinyurl.com/buymommypower.  The retail price is $16.95 per copy.  A special discount rate for bulk orders is available for non-profit organizations.

Gershman is currently in remission and living a healthy and active life with her family in Massachusetts.  For more information on Gershman and her new book, visit her blog at www.tinyurl/mommypower or Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/mommypoweronFB.