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Rare Conditions Inspire Novel of Inner Strength
13 May
Summary
- Zoë Castle wrote a novel about overcoming multiple rare conditions.
- The book, Between Heartbeats, features a teen finding strength.
- Castle lives with Tetralogy of Fallot and DiGeorge syndrome.
Zoë Castle, a 29-year-old from Herefordshire, has authored a novel titled 'Between Heartbeats,' inspired by her lifelong experiences with multiple rare conditions. Diagnosed from birth with Tetralogy of Fallot, DiGeorge syndrome, and scoliosis, Castle also faces partial deafness, partial sight, and a mild learning disability. Her experiences, including two open heart surgeries before the age of one, have shaped her perspective.
The novel centers on Aria Chapple, a teenage protagonist who navigates major heart surgery by retreating into an imagined world. Within this mental space, Aria confronts the challenges of her upbringing. Castle's motivation for writing stems from a desire to connect with individuals who feel they don't fit societal ideals of perfection, emphasizing her own journey has fostered resilience.
Castle's mother, Di, recounted the initial years as immensely difficult, describing Zoë's near-blindness and Tetralogy of Fallot diagnosis as devastating. Despite these early struggles, Di expressed immense pride in her daughter's strength and resilience, noting how their shared challenges have forged a powerful bond.
