Jewel Kats is an award-winning writer. She’s also one tough cookie. At the age of nine, Jewel endured a car accident. Her physical abilities altered forever. She spent weeks in the hospital and has survived eight leg surgeries. She currently walks with a cane. “It’s fashionably hand painted!” shared Jewel, who was also not shy in declaring, “I’m a disability activist. I believe all humans and animals have the right to be treated with respect — regardless of their abilities. I’m very passionate about social issues and that’s why I use my writing skills to bring to light issues regarding sexual abuse, disabilities and multicultural awareness.”
Jewel for six years has penned a syndicated teen advice column for Scripps-Howard News Service and TorStar Syndication Services. “After my syndicated advice column and marriage ended, my life came to a standstill. I had time to think about what I wanted to pursue. I started taking children’s writing workshops at George Brown College in Toronto,” said Jewel.
Since then Jewel has penned three children’s books, including: Reena’s Bollywood Dream, What Do You Use to Help Your Body? and her latest book Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair. “As a children’s author, I often observe little ones keenly to capture them on a written page. I’m taught to try to imagine the world through their eyes,” shared Jewel. “In my children’s book, What Do You Use to Help Your Body? a young girl named, Maggie loves going on walks with her momma. What makes these walks so special is during every outing, Maggie learns about something new. Maggie doesn’t just stop to chit-chat. Rather, she gets to the bottom of things. By asking the right question, she discovers how many people with disabilities use aids to help them out.”
Jewel did share an interesting confession when we started talking about her recent book, Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair. “I don’t read stacks of books and never watch TV. I’m always too busy working! When I don’t have my hands on my keyboard — either writing or surfing the web — you’ll catch me on my blackberry. When I’m not doing either, I’m out and about visiting family or at home reading a comic book. I also love every version of Cinderella.”
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