Born to Shine, Fought to Survive - Mother writes book on Aaiden Ervin’s story

The pages of Kerrian Ellis' book, Born to Shine, Fought to Survive. The Aaiden Ervin Story tell a story of tears, heartache, smiles and laughter. It gives readers front-row access to her five-year-old son's life.

Born prematurely, weighing only two pounds at birth, Aaiden's is a young life full of medical miracles. He suffers from a series of medical conditions including blindness in both eyes, autism, deafness, chronic lung disease and muteness. Despite these debilitating illnesses, the young boy has been a constant source of joy and laughter for his mother.

"The book comprises everything about Aaiden, including the successes of his life. He has been a medical marvel as he has so far managed to live through all of his struggles and conditions, and we are grateful," Ellis told THE STAR.

"It took me about four months to write it and it's 371 pages. I wrote night and day until it was completed," said the single mother who lives with her son in the United States of America (USA).

Released in paperback in March, the book is available on Amazon. In the description posted on the popular online marketplace, readers are told that the young boy's struggles "will make you thankful for your own life, and his journey will remind you to be grateful for all the moments of beauty and joy that come into your life".

Born to Shine, Fought to Survive. The Aaiden Ervin Story has been described as a testament to perseverance, determination, and courage in the face of adversity.

Ellis told THE STAR that the reception to the book has been great. "Persons who got a chance to purchase and read described it as being very inspirational," she said.

"The aim is for it to be an inspiration to anyone going through a difficult time and I will continue to celebrate my son," she said.

Aaiden was born at at the Mandeville Regional Hospital and was admitted for approximately three months. Faced with a myriad of health issues, Ellis swallowed her pride and began begging for assistance.

"I have walked the streets and begged, I have written to every politician that I can think of, and I have put all my pride aside and I'm begging. He is my only child, and his father walked away after his diagnosis, but I can't give up on my baby. I want him to have a bright future, hence the reason I am willing to give him one of my eyes if possible," she told this newspaper in a 2019 interview. Following the publication of the article, persons rallied to assist Ellis and her son. The toddler was flown to the USA for treatment.

Aaiden is unable to attend school, but is currently learning how to use the braille machine and white cane. The youngster is also preparing for another major operation on his cranium later this year.