A Pinner boy has helped to inspire a former Children’s Laureate’s latest project.
Renowned children’s poet and author Joseph Aaron Coelho OBE has published a special poem with help from children with cancer.
Titled Courage Looks Like Me, the poem features lines submitted by children from across the UK who shared their cancer stories. The poem was written to mark the launch of this year’s Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, which recognises the incredible courage shown by children and young people in the face of cancer.
One child involved was Pinner resident Saif Mubarak. He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in December 2021 after a tumour the size of a golf ball was found growing in his knee. Sadly, he had to have his leg amputated.
Saif’s contribution to the poem was: “Courage is the sound of gladiator’s swords and shields bashing each other, battling to survive.”
His mum Romana said: “It meant a lot to be part of the poem. Saif was keen to think of the words and it was actually fun to do.
“It allowed him to explore his experience in his own way and in his own words, and gave him space to speak about his journey and say how he really feels. We might assume children think the same as we do, but they don’t.
“This poem helped him to express himself and what he has been through.”
Commenting on the project, Joseph said: “The children blew me away. It was very easy to incorporate their answers into the poem because they’re all poets. They came up with some beautifully poetic, sincere, emotive language that was a pleasure and a joy to use within the poem.”
To read or listen to the poem, visit www.t.ly/rv6Qs
Photo credit: Cancer Research UK
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