Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Randle.
Hi Monique, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I spent the first 5 years as a single mom to my son, who has multiple medical issues and invisible disabilities. My goal was to ensure he was not only happy but a strong-minded and independent individual despite his challenges. I did that by teaching him to be self-sufficient and resourceful (I mean, he was like 12 months at this time) and started living my values with and through him daily. One thing that always worried me was that his medical journey would overshadow his amazing life- when I say amazing, I am thinking about friends, school activities, vacations, sports, family time, etc. I can only take so many pictures, so I created him an email address and started sending him pictures, videos, and highlights about his life so he would have those memories forever. Unfortunately, life is unexpected, and I guess I also wanted these stories available should I not be. Being a mother to someone like Benjamin is different; deep down, I wanted my son to always know truly how special he is & how beautiful his life is. Fast forward a few years. I took a week off from social media and work and started rereading the emails I’d sent and told my husband, ‘This would be a great story for a children’s book.’ He replied, ‘do it; I can help you, whatever you need.’ It took all of 3 days to research publishers and self-publishing, and I did it. I had a consultation, prayed about my next steps, and ended up signing with a publisher -WiseInk. After almost two full years, my book is finally in my hands.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been, but I think with any new goal or something new you will definitely run into some bumps. I think the biggest struggle for me has been the lack of information I had regarding publishing. No one tells you about typeset, book designs, the very tedious details that go into creating the book. I would say the 2nd is time; I work a full-time demanding job – (that I love), but the book publishing required nights/weekends, so I didn’t get a lot of ‘rest time.’ Lastly, my son was hospitalized at the tail end of decision-making that needed to be made- it was unexpected, and like Benjamin’s life, he had a rare risk occur from a simple EGD that required two surgeries and a 21-day hospital stay. Everything for me STOPPED, work, book, everything. I did not leave his side.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have dedicated the next 5+ years to creating this series about my son’s remarkable life. I plan to write 10 books – each with a new story of triumph from Benjamin’s real-life experiences. I think I specialize in being a caregiver for a rare boy. He has algs, eoe, epilepsy, and some other small things that interrupt his life like hearing loss, asthma, ADHD. He was also born with a club foot. I am most proud of my son for loving life. I went for 1 appointment, 1 CT scan and literally cried because I was alone, and it was a little nerve-wracking. This child of mine -9 years old, goes to ultrasounds, CT scans, lab work, therapies as needed -appts left and right and is still happy. I am most proud of him for being a STRONG and resilient young boy. I am not sure what sets me apart? Maybe the fact that I do not let anything stop us/him from experiencing life like every other child with no limitations. Now, am I scared most of the time that he could fall and break something, or he could have a seizure from not sleeping enough, or I am not monitoring him closely enough for GI issues, etc but we continue moving like everyone else. My goal is that I can inspire children & families across the globe that have the same challenges and experiences. They can do it; we can all do it!
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I would say putting all my faith into God’s plan. Admittedly, when it happened, we did stay home for months, I mean months- almost the first 13. I was scared, scared of the unknown. Now, I know it is real, and it is there, but there is nothing I can do to remove it; I still have to live, I still have to have self-care time, I still have to have family time. Life has to keep moving.
Pricing:
- $18.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.moniquerandle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themoniquerandle/
Image Credits
Kimber & Co. Photography
