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Alison McGauley is the author of Kenzie’s Little Tree, a heartfelt children’s book that helps families navigate conversations about chronic illness with compassion and hope.  

Living with ulcerative colitis and other chronic conditions herself, Alison understands the challenges of balancing health and family life. Through her writing, she aims to empower parents and children to embrace resilience and empathy.  

We sat down with Alison to learn more about her journey and the inspiration behind her book.

• You’ve shared that you live with ulcerative colitis and other chronic conditions. Can you tell us about your diagnosis journey and what living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been like for you?
  
  Thank you so much for inviting me to share my experiences! It’s a pleasure to be here.
  
  I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in my late twenties. After a restrictive diet didn’t significantly improve my symptoms, I took a 5-ASA drug, a corticosteroid for flares, and eventually moved to biologics. Throughout the years, I’ve tried diets, supplements, alternative therapies, and fecal transplants.
  
  Since the initial onset of my IBD, I’ve also been diagnosed with IBS, inflammatory arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. I currently take a biologic that treats both IBD and AS. My disease is currently in remission, but I still live with pain, restrictions, side effects, and limitations.

• How did your experience as a parent with IBD shape your perspective on family life and resilience?
  
  Shortly after my husband and I tried starting a family, I was diagnosed with colitis. With uncontrolled disease, it took three years and a fair amount of medical intervention to conceive. That was an extremely difficult time both physically and mentally, and it definitely challenged my inner strength and resilience.
  
  As I’ve frequently been sick over the years, we’ve all learned to be more flexible when plans change or when I have to miss an event. This is hard for all of us, but it’s caused us to sharpen our skills and be more aware of the importance of resilience and support.

• What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during flare-ups, and how did you navigate those moments with your children?
  
  One of the biggest challenges has been missing out on events, traditions, and moments of joy due to pain or absence. It’s disappointing for us all when I miss out on special events, holiday foods, or the chance to make family memories. We’ve learned to get through these times with open conversations and by focusing on alternate activities that can be done together.

• What advice would you give to other parents living with IBD who worry about how their illness affects their kids?
  
  I was primarily inspired to write Kenzie’s Little Tree for my own daughters, and for all who are impacted by illness or disability, so that they can feel seen and represented, and to remind them that though life can be tough, they are strong.
  
  One specific experience that influenced the story was my lengthy hospitalization when my girls were four and seven. After I returned home, my husband and I didn’t talk about my hospital stay much because we thought it would be easier for the girls to forget that way, but then they were anxious every time I went out, thinking that I’d return to the hospital. After working with a family therapist, we learned that repeated conversations about traumatic experiences can help children process their emotions, so we started talking about that time, which helped. In writing the book, I was inspired by the hope of providing comfort and a resource to spark important conversations.

• What inspired you to write Kenzie’s Little Tree? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked the idea?
  
  I was primarily inspired to write Kenzie’s Little Tree for my own daughters, and for all who are impacted by illness or disability, so that they can feel seen and represented, and to remind them that though life can be tough, they are strong.
  
  One specific experience that influenced the story was my lengthy hospitalization when my girls were four and seven. After I returned home, my husband and I didn’t talk about my hospital stay much because we thought it would be easier for the girls to forget that way, but then they were anxious every time I went out, thinking that I’d return to the hospital. After working with a family therapist, we learned that repeated conversations about traumatic experiences can help children process their emotions, so we started talking about that time, which helped. In writing the book, I was inspired by the hope of providing comfort and a resource to spark important conversations.

• The tree in your story is a powerful metaphor. How did you come up with that symbol, and what does it mean to you personally?
  
  As Kenzie’s Little Tree is a book for young children, and chronic illness is heavy, I wanted to use a metaphor to soften the topic. For me, living with IBD means change, cycles, unexpected events, and the importance of flexibility and resilience. It reminds me of the ebb and flow of nature, and so I wanted the metaphor to be something related to the natural world. A tree felt like a good fit, specifically a fragile tree that’s resilient through seasonal changes. As a huge blossom lover, I researched to find the perfect tree, a Prairifire crabapple that flowers in spring!

 

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• Why was it important for you to create a book that helps children understand chronic illness in their families?
  
  Learning about the importance of talking with kids about their experiences, worries, and feelings was one reason I wrote Kenzie’s Little Tree, because I hope that in reading this story, families will be inspired to start conversations of their own. Dynamic disabilities like IBD can be very difficult for children to understand because the symptoms are largely invisible and because the disease has ups and downs. I wanted to provide kids with a story that would help them to better understand this complexity and to help them realize that they have the strength to weather challenging times.

• How do you hope this book will support conversations between parents and children about illness and resilience?
  
  I hope that after reading Kenzie’s story, children will realize the resilience and strength that exists inside of them as well. I also hope that Kenzie’s Little Tree will inspire kids to open up about difficult experiences and feelings.

• You’ve mentioned that proceeds from your book have supported Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Why is giving back to this community so important to you?
  
  Yes, I’ve partnered with a few bookstores who have generously donated a percentage of the money from sales to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, and I have also sold books at libraries and fundraising events like Gutsy Walk and the Gutsy Runway, with profits going to the organization.
  
  Giving back to the community is extremely important to me because I am grateful for all the work that has been done and continues to happen, and for caring community members who have inspired me to use my voice to support others.

• What role do you think storytelling plays in raising awareness about IBD and reducing stigma?
  
  I’ve read that the human brain is wired for story, and this resonates with me because personally, I’m more interested and connected to books and speakers when their message is conveyed through story.
  
  When I set out to write Kenzie’s Little Tree, I wasn’t sure what format to choose, but I ultimately settled on my favourite type, narrative story. I wanted to create a story with evocative language and lots of heart that would be relatable and meaningful. Kenzie’s Little Tree is a mirror for families who live with chronic illness, and a sliding glass door for those who don’t. I hope that by inviting all kids into Kenzie’s world, they will learn that families with disability or illness have difficult times and moments of fun and joy like all families. 

• If you could share one message with families affected by IBD, what would it be?
  
  I want to share a message of hope and resilience, which is what I aimed to convey by writing Kenzie's Little Tree. Living with chronic illness is hard, and I want families to continue to hope for better days, for comfort from kind and empathetic people, and for improvements in medication and treatment. Please remember that IBD is tough, but we are tougher. We are strong and our children become more resilient by observing us and by practicing resilience in their own lives.