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Minnesota mom pens kid’s book inspired by son with special needs
Taylor Hindermann of Montgomery is getting ready to release her first children’s book — inspired by her son who has special needs.
MONTGOMERY, Minnesota — At 19 months old, Kip Hindermann has found his footing. The toddler is always on the move inside his home in Montgomery, thanks to the braces he wears around his feet and legs.
“It’s been very difficult. A lot of people ask me… ‘How do you get through all of these things?’ And you know, he’s a blessing. He’s extremely tenacious. He absolutely loves life and has a great personality,” said Kip’s mom, Taylor Hindermann.
When Taylor was 18 weeks pregnant, Kip was diagnosed with fetal ascites. According to the National Institutes of Health, the condition causes an abnormal fluid collection in the fetal peritoneal cavity.
“They found an in utero bowel perforation or what they thought it was. That wasn’t confirmed until he had a surgery later. So we went through a lot of different testing when I was pregnant with him and he has a lot of gestational issues because of that in utero bowel perforation,” Taylor explained.
Kip was born premature at 34 weeks.
“He was diagnosed with hypotonia, which is the low muscle tone. Basically, from his chest down, he has a malformed abdomen. He does not have the second abdomen wall. So that is part of the reason why he wears braces,” Taylor said.
Since Kip was 2 months old, he’s undergone all sorts of therapies, including physical and occupational. He’s been walking with the help of his braces since he was about 16 months old. He also wears a helmet to protect the soft spot on his head which hasn’t closed.
“When he was getting his braces, there were so many people asking us questions and wanting to know more about him and kind of about the braces and why he had them,” Taylor said.
It inspired the mom of three to write her first children’s book called “Kip’s Funny Little Feet.” It will release on April 21. The book gives kids like Kip more representation in books while promoting special needs inclusion.
The book follows Kip as he overcomes obstacles and finds the strength to walk with the help of his special braces.
“For his age, the questions in public and with family don’t necessarily bother him that much,” Taylor said. “But I was thinking about older kids who are getting these braces, and there’s a lot of different questions that are being asked about that. I just wanted to introduce it and make it easier.”
The illustrator on the book, Lezanne Bianchina from South Africa, also has a son who wears braces and has special needs.
“She was like, ‘I absolutely love this and I want to be a part of this,'” Taylor recalled.
Taylor’s goal is to create a series of children’s books all related to special needs inclusion.
The book was made possible thanks to a Kickstarter, which raised more than $5,200. Backers had the option to donate a book, as well. Those books will be given to local organizations including Mayo Clinic and the Ronald McDonald House where Taylor’s family stayed.
Taylor also plans to go into classrooms and read the book to students. She already has plans to visit a classroom that has kids who also wear braces.
Taylor recalled the first time she saw a printed copy of “Kip’s Funny Little Feet,” saying, “Honestly, when I saw it and I got it, I cried. It’s just been so much work, and so much time, and love and effort that has been put into it. I was so excited to see it… It’s dedicated to him, kind of almost a love story to him to be like, I want more people to know about you and how special you are. So I was very happy when I saw it.”
“Kip’s Funny Little Feet” will be released on April 21, but it’s available for pre-order now on Taylor’s website.
A public book launch party will be held April 21 at 1 p.m. at Next Chapter Winery in New Prague.
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