A mother who lost her daughter to a rare genetic disorder aged just six months is now publishing an illustrated book in the hope of helping others going through similar bereavements.
Sales of Hannah Chapman's book in memory of Maisie will also raise funds for the Lily Foundation, a charity supporting families affected by mitochondrial disease.
This is the term given to a group of medical disorders caused by mutations in mitochondria, the tiny organelles that can be found in nearly every cell of a body and which generate about 90 per cent of the energy a person needs to live.
Depending on the cells affected a person with mitochondrial disease may suffer from seizures, fatigue, vision and hearing loss or breathing problems - and any of the body's organs can be affected.
Although born seemingly healthy and happy, Hannah's daughter Maisie was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease when she was just four months.
Maisie the day before she died
Her family were then given the devastating news that she may not live to see her first birthday.
Sadly Maisie lost her battle just before she turned six months old, but since then Hannah and partner Ben Keverne, who grew up in Breage and attended Helston Community College, have tried to remain positive and turn their grief to raising funds for the Lily Foundation.
Hannah, from Truro, said: “We have now raised almost £23,000 with help from friends and family. Turning your loss into physical action has really helped us.”
Read next: Lily Foundation fundraising in memory of baby Maisie Keverne
Hannah grew up wanting to write and illustrate books, completing an MA in authorial illustration at Falmouth University. However, a lack of confidence, and time constraints, put her dreams on the back burner.
After Maisie passed away she vowed to do all those things she always put off, and now less than two years on she is self-publishing the book 'Yellow Day'.
Hannah explained: “After Maisie passed away I promised to her to make the most of the life that I was lucky to be given.
"So much of what I now do, I do for Maisie because she never had the opportunity. One of those things was to publish this book.
"It is scary putting your work out there, as it is very personal and emotional, and you don't know how it will be received – but Maisie gives me the courage, each and every day.”
Maisie with her parents Ben Keverne and Hannah Chapman, and brother Lowen
Yellow Day is hard back book of full colour illustrations, with a poem that sits alongside.
“The book is a journey through grief, each page consists of images of objects and places that remind you of a person when they've gone: an empty bed, an empty place at the dinner table, clothes that hang unworn in wardrobes," added Hannah.
"The illustrations are seasonal with spring daffodils and autumn leaves, indicating the passing of time and the world moving forward when you don't want to. But it is also a book about hope, showing how it is possible to still relish life, whilst keeping your memories of that missing person alive."
Some of the illustrations in the book
Hannah hopes that the book will provide comfort to others going through similar bereavements.
It is being launched during Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from October 9 to 15. Led by the charity Sands, the week aims to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss in the UK.
Hannah is donating £5 from every sale of Yellow Day to the Lily Foundation, which is working to find a cure for mitochondrial disease.
Yellow Day is currently available to pre-order on the Amazing Maisie website amazingmaisie.com for a pre-sale price of £20 (normal RRP £25).
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