An illustrator based in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, has contributed to the launch of a story book to support the two and a half million children in the UK thought to experience mental health complications after their parents or carers suffer serious injuries.
Sarah-Leigh Wills, founder and owner of Happydesigner, has illustrated ‘Bracky Builds a New Den’, a new children’s book from Fletchers Serious Injury, which explores the practical and emotional changes a family might face following a serious injury.
It comes after new research from Fletchers Serious Injury revealed that 58 per cent of children of the estimated 4.8 million parents or carers living with serious injuries following an accident or medical negligence, experience major changes to their life, often resulting in both short and long-term mental health issues.
Following a parent’s or carer’s injury, the research shows a child could experience upheaval such as missing time in education, moving to a new house to accommodate their parent’s condition, changing school, witnessing their parents separate or divorce, or even being forced to take on carer responsibilities.
The research also highlights the emotional upheaval following a change in childcare, specifically for children who find themselves more often in the care of wider family members or neighbours, while their parent or carer recovers from a long-term injury – thus impacting on crucial family bonding time.
On top of the worry for their parent or carer, these major life changes can impact the child’s mental and emotional health and wellbeing. The data shows that, as a result, many suffer from shock, anxiety, anger outbursts and insomnia. Many also develop their own coping strategies to process the impact on their lives. In extreme cases, children are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
As part of the research conducted by the Top 100 law firm, a third (31%) of parents and carers living with the effects of a serious injury or medical negligence said there were not sufficient resources available to help their family cope with the challenges they experienced, while a quarter said resources to specifically explain to children what has happened would have helped.
‘Bracky Builds a New Den’, created and launched by Fletchers Serious Injury, is the tale of a happy dinosaur whose life is turned upside down when their father suffers a serious injury. Aimed at 5 to 8 year old children living in similar circumstances, the book has been developed following a period of analysis and development, which included market research, tailored professional advice from therapists, and first-hand accounts from families and children who have experienced serious injury.
Sarah, who launched Happydesigner in 2007, said:
“We embrace all forms of children’s books, but we find that helping develop, design and illustrate books that are specifically targeted towards helping children and their families to be particularly rewarding.
“When we were approached about this particular project, we were able to envisage a unique way of bringing the story idea to life, developing characters and illustrations which have turned the book into what it is today.
“A mix of talents have gone into producing this book, which has such a poignant message of support for children who might be experiencing similar difficulties to Bracky – showing them, in an easy to understand way, that things will eventually get better, and that it’s okay to create yourself a new ‘normal’.”
Adrian Denson, Chief Legal Officer at Fletchers Serious Injury said:
“Sustaining a serious injury is a life-changing experience. Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of families to rebuild their lives following serious injury and medical negligence, and know how such incidents can affect everything from wellbeing and relationships to career and financial security.
“Our research showed that while there’s lots of information available on how a significant, life changing event can impact children from a scientific point of view, there is very little available to actually guide them through the practical and emotional challenges that will come along the way.
“That’s why we created this story book. Though it seeks to explore many of the different ways young children could react to their parent or carer experiencing a serious injury, it’s important to remember that everyone’s circumstances are unique. As serious injury specialists, our priority for those affected is to support them with all the associated challenges a serious injury brings, and to extend our service to their wider family and network, too.”
An e-book of ‘Bracky Builds a New Den’ is available for download, where interested parties can also offer a donation to Fletchers Serious Injury’s charity partners. There are also a variety of activity and fact sheets for younger and older children to download, to help them cope with the challenges of a parent or carer suffering a serious injury. All these materials are available via the Fletchers Serious Injury website.
