ABOUT THE WRITER

I may be a first-time author, but storytelling and crafting imaginative concepts have always been ingrained in my soul. Creativity and the art of storytelling are my life passions. So I’m truly excited to embark on this new journey as an author.  

 

As I look back on my life so far, I see a journey defined by challenging obstacles but also filled with personal triumphs. My own story begins in a small town during the 80s, at a time when little was known about dyslexia or ADHD. I was a child who struggled in school and particularly with reading and writing. The words on the page seemed to dance rather than talk. Their true meaning often eluded my grasp. But amid these challenges, I always found solace in art. And I soon discovered that my imagination knew no bounds.

 

But it wasn’t until I was in my mid 20’s that the puzzling pieces of my life finally began to fit together. A professional diagnosis of dyslexia and ADHD shed new light on the reasons behind my lifelong struggles. It was a revelation that brought so much clarity to my past. 

 

During my early years, although it was evident that I possessed potential and intelligence, I was often labeled as ‘not trying hard enough’. Or as lazy and ‘simply not measuring up.’ I carried the weight of these judgments into my teenage years and they only further fuelled my frustration.

 

So, at the tender age of 15, I made the bold decision to leave school behind and pursue my passion for horse riding. I committed to becoming a professional equestrian and the glorious world of horses became my refuge. But life often has a way of, unexpectedly, changing our course.

 

At the age of 16, my world took a drastic turn, when a horse riding accident left me permanently paralysed and confined to a wheelchair. I spent a gruelling ten months in the hospital and celebrated my 17th birthday undergoing intensive rehabilitation. Life had handed me another unexpected challenge and yet I chose to embrace it with resilience. 

 

So please don’t feel sorry for me. I have lived an extraordinary life. My life journey continued to unfold after my accident, eventually leading me to a career in makeup and special effects for the international film and television industry. I relocated to America, where I found myself working alongside some of Hollywood’s brightest stars. I was soon living a life of adventure and excitement, albeit from the vantage point of my (vibrant pink) wheelchair.

 

Instead of viewing my dyslexia and ADHD as disabilities, I found a way to transform them into superpowers. 

 

My insatiable passion for life became my driving force. I also discovered that if something didn’t captivate me, I would lose interest quickly. When I read or wrote, it had to be not just engaging but deeply meaningful to me. And that’s how Santiago, my beloved Arabian horse, became the inspiration for this story.

 

However, life continued to present its share of obstacles. The sudden loss of my beloved Santiago, in 2018, cast such a shadow of grief over my work that progress on this project was stalled for nearly three years. It was a period of mourning, healing and reflection. But even during this difficult time, I never gave up on my dream.

 

So after a decade of twists and turns, you are now reading the introduction to Santiago; the Keeper of Secrets. It has taken years of soul-searching, setbacks and reinventions to reach this point. I tried collaborating with others to bring this story to life, but the universe seemed to always be conspiring to lead me back to writing this book myself. It was a daunting challenge. But it was also a journey I believe I was always destined to embark upon.

 

In this book, I will share the story of my real family’s journey to Australia - and the adventures that unfolded - along with the profound connection I shared with Santiago throughout.

 

It is a true tale of resilience and transformation. A story about turning adversity into an opportunity - with a tantalising touch of fantasy thrown in! 

 

I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to those friends who have supported me as I have undertaken this incredible journey. 

 

To Kelly Koolstra-Aplin, Rebecca Booth, Troy Galvin and Sophie Campbell. Your unwavering belief in me - even when I lacked the confidence within myself - made all the difference. You are not just friends; you are my village and my support system. I couldn’t have done this without you!

 

The path to this book has been long and winding. It has been a journey filled with moments of self-doubt and challenges that regularly threatened to deter me. Yet, here we are…at the beginning of a brand new chapter in my life. It is a chapter that celebrates the strength of the human spirit and the beauty of embracing our own uniqueness.

 

I also hope that sharing my story serves as an inspiration for all of you to embark on your own journeys with courage, strength and unwavering self-belief. If I can overcome the odds and pursue my dreams, so can each and every one of you. 

 

I believe the story of my life is a personal testament to the incredible resilience of the human spirit and the power of believing in oneself.

 

DREAM BIG 

 

Kerri Hill