Florham Park mother daughter team publish book
Kaitlyn Benacchio, a recent Florham Park Ridgedale Middle School 8th grade graduate, is the illustrator of a book created with her mother, Janice, about her grandfather’s brain disease “It’s OK, Grandpop”. They are hoping it will help children and families in need of guidance and support.
The story is about how they learned to accept the struggles their grandfather experienced and how they were determined to find different ways to show their love. The book is available for purchase through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Kaitlyn Benacchio says “When my grandfather was diagnosed with a brain disease nine years ago, we noticed there weren’t any books out there for children to use as a resource. We were looking for ways to help my brother and I make connections and know we were not alone in this battle. In turn, my mom and I created this book to help families in need of guidance and support that are going through similar situations”.
Janice Benacchio (mother) says “We hope to bring awareness to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) as well as offer young minds a means to learn about their loved one’s afflictions.”
Dr. Steven Caponegro (Florham Park Superintendent of School) says “As a school district and having personally known Kaitlyn and her family for over 10 years, we are so proud of her for contributing to this worthwhile project. Spreading knowledge about a disease and providing resources to help family and friends who may be struggling to relate and to help them be more at peace is an incredibly noble act. I have already purchased a few copies for each of the schools so that current and future students can see the accomplishments and powerful message provided by Kaitlyn and her mother.”
Courtesy photos
