TAMPA, Fla. — The reigning Ms. Wheelchair Florida and her mother are taking a message of joy and hope to kids through their books and public appearances.

Schuyler Arakawa and mom, Meridith Alexander, have published a series of children’s books about overcoming obstacles.

In 2016, Arakawa was on a fellowship from Yale to South America, working to expand opportunities for women, when she took a trip to Colombia. She went rafting with a group and then not long after that while exploring a grotto, a boulder fell on her. It caused injuries in many parts of her body, including a traumatic brain injury.

She was taken to a hospital in Columbia for treatment and later flown to a hospital in Miami, where she underwent multiple brain surgeries. She also underwent rehab. It has been a long road to recovery.

On a recent morning, Arakawa and Alexander appeared together at the Southshore Montessori School in Apollo Beach to read to a group of children.

“So, we are going to read our newest book, which is all about fear and doubt and doing hard things even if you are not sure you can do them,” said Alexander.

A few minutes later, about two dozen children came into the room, where the mom and daughter greeted them enthusiastically. “We are so glad to see you,” said Alexander.

“Welcome in, guys,” said Arakawa.

Then Alexander started reading from one of their books that includes Arakawa in a wheelchair. She is called “Princess Happiness.” The books feature children overcoming obstacles like a boulder.

The life-changing event of being struck by the boulder in Columbia resulted in limits to Arakawa’s speech and mobility, but she turned those limits into a purpose for her life.

“It is hard. But the way I see it, some people say I’m positive in my recovery,” said Arakawa. “But I really think there is no other way to be, because if you were upset you would just hurt yourself. I have learned that you can not control the outcome. So, I might as well make the best of it.”

Alexander said she and Arakawa try to stay focused on looking for the positive and life. That is what they hope people get from their appearances.

“Joy is all around us the same way the oxygen is around us. You don’t always see it,” Alexander said. “But you have access to it.”

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