Leilani Wong has turned her experience living with osteogenesis imperfecta into a children’s book meant to offer encouragement to young readers who may be facing challenges of their own.

Wong, a Huntington Beach High School student who just finished her junior year, has deep family ties to Coronado. Her grandma, Katy Roberson, is a Coronado native, and her mom grew up in Coronado. Her aunt, niece, and grandma all still live on island. Her family connection to the city spans generations. “My mom, Amy, and her entire family are Coronado natives; three generations,” she told me. “My grandma has lived on F Avenue for more than 50 years… My mom and grandma both went through all the Coronado schools.” Although she was born and raised in Huntington Beach, Wong said her family comes to Coronado regularly and spends summers there. One of her favorite memories, she said, is riding in the 4th of July parade in her uncle’s antique cars.

At Huntington Beach High School, Wong is enrolled in the Musical Theater program within the Academy of Performing Arts, which she said is similar to Coronado’s CoSA. Looking ahead, she hopes to study business, marketing and advocacy in college, and later use those skills to help others.

Wong’s path as an author began after a difficult injury. In October 2025, she slipped at school and fractured her tailbone, which forced her to drop out of the musical she was in and recover at home. While on independent study, she began thinking about what she could create that might help herself and others. “I came up with the idea of an affirmations coloring book,” she said. “That’s when I began thinking about publishing books.” From there, she wrote and published Believe in You: Coloring Affirmations for Kids and Teens and then Leilani’s Unbreakable Spirit, a children’s story based on her life.

The book follows Wong’s experience living with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), which she described as “a rare genetic bone disease that affects bone density.” She was diagnosed with what was formerly known as brittle bone disease at age two. Wong said she has had close to 50 fractures and spent much of her life in hospitals and emergency rooms. She also said she has used crutches, wheelchairs, scooters, boots, slings, and many casts throughout her life.

The condition affected her physically and emotionally, especially during middle school and throughout COVID. But it also changed how she sees herself. “It took a long time for me to realize that having a disability is not something to be ashamed of; and that’s how my journey of becoming an author and disability advocate started,” she said.

Leilani’s Unbreakable Spirit is intended to be an uplifting and inspiring read. “The story is uplifting because it focuses on the things that Leilani can do and accomplish,” she explained. “I want it to be a story of hope and resilience and show other kids that having a disability is something to embrace.”

Wong also noted that the larger message is about kindness, inclusion and visibility. “I hope everyone who reads my book sees the importance of being kind to all, and never judging a book by its cover… You never know what someone is going through, and it is always important to be kind, accepting, and inclusive.” She added that she hopes children with disabilities feel seen and understand that they are “strong, brave, and amazing people.”

Wong said her grandmother, whom she calls Mimi, has been one of her biggest supporters, sharing her books around town and throughout San Diego. She also mentioned a chance connection with a local young reader named Mya and Mya’s sister Emy, who both have genetic disorders, showed her how much the book can mean to others. “I hope my story will help Mya feel less alone,” Wong said, “and also know that a disability does not define you; in fact, it makes you stronger, special, and more empathetic to the world.”

Her books are available on Amazon and at local children’s book store Stop and Grow, and all proceeds go back to the OI Foundation. Her book is now also in schools in multiple districts across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.

Wong said the response has inspired her to keep advocating. Since publishing her book, she has traveled to Washington, D.C., and Sacramento to meet with legislators about disability inclusion and access to healthcare for rare diseases like OI. “I never thought I would be doing something like this; being an introvert,” she said. “But it has sparked something so big in me.”

She will share her book at the National OI conference next month in Orlando, where she plans to sell copies, do a Q&A and sign books. The OI Foundation, she said, would also like to carry the book in its online store.

Wong said her message is simple: “We should celebrate our differences… Everybody deals with something, publicly and privately,” and said her experience has made her “a better, more inclusive, and resilient person.”

VOL. 116, NO. 27 – July 8, 2026