Dr. Kristen Kilroy PT, DPT is a physical therapist specializing in pediatric aquatic physical therapy. She helps kids with all different injuries and diagnoses achieve their goals through hard work disguised as fun. This was the inspiration behind Henry Goes to Aquatic Physical Therapy—physical therapy should be fun!
After growing up in Pennsylvania, Kristen moved to Virginia to attend Marymount University, where she was on the swim team, for her undergraduate. After earning her degree, she went to graduate school to get her doctorate in physical therapy. Her career as an aquatic physical therapist merges her interests in swimming and physical therapy. In her free time, Kristen likes to travel, craft, cook, and explore the DC area.
For more information on aquatic physical therapy or to schedule with Dr. Kristen, visit www.waterreliefpt.com.
Q: What inspired the idea behind your book?
A: Henry Goes to Aquatic Physical Therapy is inspired by my real-life work as a pediatric aquatic physical therapist. In the pool, I work with children who have a variety of injuries and disabilities to improve their strength, their ability to walk, and their ability to play and interact with their peers and community.
For many children, the pool environment (or any new activity) can be intimidating. I wrote this book to ease these fears. It serves as part social story and part imaginative adventure to introduce aquatic therapy. A social story is a simple story that describes a social situation and the appropriate way to act in that situation. It helps children understand what to expect and how to respond. Social stories are common in the following pediatric conditions but can be used for any child: ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorders, behavioral difficulties, anxiety, and social skill deficits. Henry Goes to Aquatic Physical Therapy demonstrates how aquatic therapy is a safe place to work on skills and have fun during the process.
Q: As an author, what tips would you give anyone who wants to get into writing?
A: For anyone who wants to get into writing, my best advice is to pick a topic you are passionate about. This process, while hard work, is meant to be fun. If you are passionate about your topic and making your idea come to life, it is so rewarding.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: I don’t have a favorite book. I usually bounce between a thriller, especially anything by Freida McFadden, and something girly to bring down my blood pressure after the thriller.
Q: Was your main character modeled after anyone in your life?
A: The physical therapist in the book is clearly modeled after me to ease anxiety for kids when they show up and see a familiar character. Henry represents any child who has participated in aquatic physical therapy or traditional physical therapy (or who has yet to).
When deciding what injury or disability to have Henry represent, I wanted to include a group of illnesses I am passionate about: invisible disabilities. Invisible disabilities are a group of conditions in which children or adults have a physical, mental, or neurological condition that is not visible from the outside yet can limit or challenge their movements, senses, or activities. Unfortunately, these people are often judged by others for what is visible versus what is happening under the surface. Some invisible disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, fibromyalgia, POTS/dysautonomia, EDS, asthma, dyslexia, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, dyslexia, MS, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety, depression, cognitive disability, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, endometriosis, and many more. The sunflower on Henry’s shirt at the beginning of the book is a symbol for this group of disabilities.
Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
A: My favorite part of the writing process was working with my wonderful illustrator to make my idea come to life! Since this was based on my real-life work, I had a specific vision for the art. I enjoyed working with the illustrator to make the physical therapist, Dr. Kristen, look like me to ease anxiety for kids when they show up. I wanted them to see a familiar character.
Additionally, many of the activities in the book are pulled from real games I play with the kids. For example, sitting on the float mat often turns into being aboard a fishing boat or a pirate ship. My vision was for the art to transition from the real-life activities we do to the imaginative games we play so they are one and the same.
Q: Do you believe that being a “good writer” is a developed skill or a natural talent?
A: I think anyone can be a good writer! Everyone has a story to tell.
Q: Would you write another book (or are you already writing another book)?
A: This process helps me express my creative side, so yes! There is a “land” or traditional physical therapy version in the works called Harper Goes to Physical Therapy!
Q: Is there an author you look up to, and why?
A: I look up to and enjoy any book by Abby Jimenez. She always includes some sort of mental health or health condition within her books. She makes sure to represent these conditions so well, and I admire that. This is similar to how I included invisible disabilities in my books.
Q: If there were an apocalypse and you could only take five books into your doomsday bunker, what would they be?
A: 1. The Housemaid Series by Freida McFadden
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche
Henry Goes to Aquatic Physical Therapy by Kristen Kilroy (I had to!)
To learn more about Kristen Kilroy’s new children’s book, Henry Goes to Aquatic Physical Therapy, visit https://blueballoonbooks.com/bookstore/henry-goes-to-aquatic-physical-therapy/.
