Much of what we think counts as “treatment” in medical literature is informed by the amazing successes of high-tech drugs and therapies that have evolved in just the past few centuries. Though it’s common wisdom that laughter is the best medicine, we all know that medicine is, in fact, the best medicine. But there is, perhaps, a degree of truth to the old expression.

Several observational studies (which, importantly, are not definitive in their findings) have included physician reports that patients in poor mental health generally suffer from higher rates of morbidity and mortality. Why, then, do we laugh at the old turn of phrase? And more importantly, why do we ignore the wisdom at its core: that being sick is hard, and attitude matters?

Dallas Graham is a writer, artist, and advocate operating out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Wanting to make a difference in the lives of critically ill children, Graham set out to put his writing and graphic design skills to use in a way he never had before – by providing creative “treatment.”

In late 2013, Graham founded the Red Fred Project – a foundation to help children with critical illnesses publish their own books. A Kickstarter campaign raised over $85,000 in just 30 days to fund the ambitious project, and the Red Fred Project has been publishing books ever since.

The Creative Process

Graham travels the country meeting with critically ill children to work with them towards a meaningful and obtainable goal.

“If you could write a book for the whole world, what would it be about?” Graham asks each one of his co-authors. The answers he receives are always remarkable.

To help children tell their stories, Graham created a cast of colorful birds called The Jolly Troop. After deciding to work with a certain child (though Graham prefers to use the term “Storyteller”), the Red Fred Project supplies them with a packet that helps outline critical elements of storytelling like the characters, settings, and themes that will be involved.

Graham breaks down the often daunting creative process into smaller, more manageable steps. After outlining the story, Graham helps the young author design their own member of The Jolly Troop, photograph nearby locations to inspire the setting, and storyboard the plot. After the book is planned, penned, and polished, finally, it gets published.

While the stories don’t focus on the disease or condition the child lives with, Patient Worthy provides a short background and further resources for readers in the Advocacy Page found at the back of the book.

The Storytellers

One of the Red Fred Projects’ extended programs is the 50 States Collection.

Aiming to produce 50 books from 50 authors in each of the 50 states, the Red Fred Project’s most ambitious project yet has already paired Graham with 13 young Storytellers. Graham collaborated with Nathan Glad, his first writing partner, back in 2013 – before the Red Fred Project’s Kickstarter went live.

Nathan has osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare genetic disorder that makes his bones extremely fragile and prone to break – about once every month. With Graham, he wrote Climbing with Tigers, the beautifully penned and illustrated story of a little black bird (named Blue!) with brittle bones.

The book launch was a huge success, in no small part due to Glad’s book signing that drew a small crowd to a Utah parking lot – no easy feat.

Despite popularity of the signings, most of the books are sold online now – and they frequently sell out! Other Storytellers in the 50 States Collection are:

• Shaelyn Simis – Friend Ships in a Storm
• Jordan Vincent – The Fashion Nest
• Colin Kopacko – The Green Flyer King
• Zachyus Bowers – Never Defeated: Incredi-Kid
• Delaney Clements – The Lost Lucky Ring
• Brianna Grindle – Searching for Sea Glass
• Emma Becker – Friends Fight Fear
• Zeke Keating – Stop, Bully! Go, Buddy!
• Meghan Waldron – Running on the Wind
• Luke Maeding – Gaming for Wings
• Maya Smith – Flight of Friendship (not yet on sale)
• JJ Lilley – (in progress)

The Theory of the Red Fred Project

By publishing these children’s books, the Red Fred Project provides them a meaningful creative outlet, and also a tangible goal.

Most children living with a rare disease understand what they’re up against – and even if they don’t necessarily understand it, they certainly feel it. The psychological burden of chronic illness is no lesser in children than adults. A picture book is an outlet that allows for (while not necessarily requiring) engagement with the creator’s condition while simultaneously providing an escape to the kind of creative childhood experience that is often the first victim of a life spent in and out of treatment.

The importance of being able to occasionally escape from the confines of a hospital can’t be understated. As humans, we’re just not built for the kind of things we have to ask of our sickest people – dozens of surgeries, months laid up in bed, rigorous chemical therapies. Perhaps the next best thing, though, is a mental escape. Being able to focus on something, anything, but chronic illness can be a blessing for these patients and their families. In some cases, the mental outlet may provide the boost they need to fight their disease a little harder, or a little longer.

The Red Fred Project is doing phenomenal work, and will hopefully continue to print and sell many more copies of these inspiring stories in the future. However, they always need more help.

When you purchase a book from Red Fred’s online shop, proceeds (after covering printing expenses) go to the Storyteller and their families. To a family that might be struggling with the exorbitant medical fees that are not unusual for rare disease patients, a strong-selling book could make a meaningful difference. More books are added to the store as they’re written, so be sure to check frequently!

Do you think state of mind and mental health play a role in your physical health? Do you think humans have an inherent desire to accomplish in their lifetimes? Why is it important to provide a way for critically ill children to achieve? Patient Worthy wants to hear from you!