Author never let devastating childhood illness hold her back

A Stirling woman has overcome the odds to pen two books of short stories.

Talented writer Hannah Lamont, who attended Borestone Primary and Stirling High, has learning difficulties after contracting encephalitis as a child.

She has continued to make her family proud with her writing with her first book‘enchanting Short Stories’ followed up by‘teenage Adventure Stories’.

The 27-year-old described her writing as fantasy adventures, adding: “The stories tend to be about characters finding themselves. I find that very inspiring.

“One day I hope to go on to be a recognised author.”

While on holiday in Tenerife aged nine Hannah was hospitalised for nine days with encephalitis which causes imflammation of the brain.

Her mum Margaret said this week that it had been a very frightening experience for the family.

She added:“we had never prayed so hard in our lives. There were some harrowing moments. Hannah had convulsions. She was getting out of bed and seeing things.

“While medical staff attended to Hannah it seemed like the longest time ever. She had drips in both her arms and legs.

“We were so relieved to get her back home to Scotland”.

Margaret however said that Hannah has made a lot of progress with her life in recent years.

After school Hannah attended college for three years and studied music, child care and hairdressing.

She has also worked as a hairdressing receptionist at Forth Valley College’s Raploch campus and at a care home in Menstrie.

Margaret added:“hannah never lets anything get her down. She is a very loving and caring young lady.

“Obviously I think her stories are amazing. They’re beautifully written”.

Hannah’s mum and dad Garry live in St Ninians and she has a 37-year-old brother Dean and sister Lisamarie (35).

She lives nearby with her grandfather Allan to allow her 12-year-old niece Natasha and nephews Kian (16) and Connor (10), who is disabled, to stay with her parents.