Letters to Iris

 
HI Gayle,

I just wanted you to know just when I thought things were never going to get better. I received your books today. I began to cry as you touched my heart so much for your generosity and kindness. I haven’t cried for a long time and mostly been angry inside. I am so relieved and feel a little saved upon receiving all the information you sent to us. My son Kiley read your book right away and felt sooooooos special that it was signed. You truly have brightened our lives when it seems so dark all the time. Kiley enjoyed your book so much he is reading it again and as I write lying on the couch holding it. He is very emotional today and just wiped out from all the different mood swings he has encountered just from this morning. So that lift in his spirits today was a blessing and so are you...THANK YOU SO MUCH.. I really appreciate the support I get from you and all the others that have been there. God bless you..:))))))) Thanks again so much , Mary
 
Dear Iris the Dragon

I have a son Jason; he just had his birthday this past Wednesday. He turned 10. He was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder when he was 8. It was all so confusing for me as an adult, and I have never been able to even dream how difficult it is for Jason to cope and understand why he is different than other children. There are so many resources for adults with mood disorders but there is so much lacking for parents of children with mood disorders and, NOTHING for the children themselves. Your book, Iris the Dragon, was just given to me for Jason. I have read it and now I will read it to him. The book was given to me by his teacher at his old school; he now goes to a Day Treatment School where they are more able to deal with him and his issues. Once again thank you. Ann
 


Hi we just moved to Canada from Tennessee, My son Daniel is 8 yr old and has had a lot of mental problems. When he was in the States he attended a school for kids like him, there they learned about Iris the dragon. He loves you, and wants to meet you. He is doing his room in a dragon theme and wants a picture of you, is there anyway we can do that? We also planted iris flowers in the front flowerbed so he can think of you. Thanks again for having a positive influence on my son. Jane
 
Hi Iris,

My name is Denise. I have had mental illness since I was about 4. I really like your book. I share it with my friends, too. I am in college, but I can understand your book better than a lot of the adult books. My nickname is Denise dragon. I am glad that dragons can be nice. I have a stuffed dragon named Atrabili. I wish I had your book when I was a kid, so people could understand rather than yell at me. I have trouble explaining things. Thank you. I hope you write more books.


 
Dear Gayle,

Thank you for the book. My kids and I read it over the week. It was a wonderful way to explain mental illness to them and since that time we have had some surprising and wonderful discussions. My congratulations! The book is well done. Suzanne
 


Please accept our sincere thanks for the wonderful presentation today. The children struggle on many levels and the message of hope and that they are not alone cannot be communicated enough in words and in story. The Interface Staff
 

(Names have been changed to protect sender)