Meggan’s heart of gold shines through
Publishing dream comes true for young author
DURING one of her many stays in hospital as a young girl, Meggan Jeffcoat realised she wanted to be an author.
Born without a left pulmonary artery and with a right pulmonary artery that wasn’t the right size, meant hospital visits were a regular feature of her young life.
Stuck in a hospital bed and watching her brothers running around, unable to join in, Meggan’s nanny used to read to her.
“I got her to read this book called Dream Horses so often that I memorised the words and that’s how I learned to read... and then in grade one I was writing my first stories,” she said.
On Saturday, now aged 21, Meggan’s dream of becoming an author came true, thanks to the Make a Wish Foundation Toowoomba Branch.
In a room of the Toowoomba City Library, surrounded by family and friends – some of whom she hadn’t seen in years – she launched her first two published books: Grandma’s
Cat and Felix the Field mouse.
It was an emotional day for Meggan, her family, and the foundation volunteers.
Make a Wish Foundation co-ordinator Deb Schultz said while the process of publishing Meggan’s books took some time, it was worth it.
When asked what the day meant to her, Meggan, her eyes brimming with tears, said: “I don’t really know how to explain it. It’s all I’ve ever wanted since I was a kid, so it’s unbelievable. There are no words to describe it.”