Schoolgirl, 6, writes book about dad's terminal cancer diagnosis
A six-year-old girl has written and illustrated a book to help her process her father's terminal cancer diagnosis. The project, titled 'Daddy's Little Monsters,' was created with her parents to explain the situation in a gentle, age-appropriate way.
Why it matters
The story highlights the emotional challenges families face when navigating terminal illness with young children and the therapeutic value of creative expression.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Lauren Hirst North West Family handout Isabella has written a book from her own perspective of what happens when her daddy goes to the hospital When Chris Capstick was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, his family made the decision not to use the word c-word in the house.
Instead the disease was known as "daddy's little monsters" for the benefit of his two youngest children.
But in November, Chris, from Bromborough in Wirral, was given the heartbreaking diagnosis at the age of 40 that the cancer was terminal.
His wife Lauren said she knew she had to help her children understand what was to come, while not terrifying them about the reality of terminal cancer.
"It was really, really hard," said the 30-year-old, who works as an arts coordinator for young people but has taken time away to support her husband.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in