‘Just See Me: Seeing Beyond Difference’ - How OT Sarah Gannon’s Book Is Opening Eyes and Hearts

An Interview with Paediatrics Occupational Therapist and Author Sarah Gannon

Boy holding head in hands and boy colouring. Title reads Self-Regulation and Sensory Integration

When Occupational Therapist Sarah Gannon (nee Governey) set out to write 'Just See Me: Seeing Beyond Difference', she wasn’t simply creating a storybook—she was starting a conversation. Inspired by her daughter Ciara, who lives with CHARGE syndrome, Sarah’s book invites readers of all ages to look beyond disability and see the child, their personality, their strengths and abilities and the playfulness and joy.

In this inspiring interview, Sarah shares her professional journey, the powerful experiences that led to the book’s creation, and the impact it’s having in homes, classrooms, and communities across Ireland and the UK. Her story is one of hope, honesty and an unshakable belief in inclusion.

SIE: Could you tell us a little about your professional background as an occupational therapist and how your experiences in paediatrics and sensory integration have shaped your approach to supporting children and families?

Sarah Gannon: I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2008 and have been working in paediatrics ever since. I love working with children and I am very passionate about OT and supporting children to maximise their occupational performance. I have worked in the community, early intervention, disability and in acute paediatrics and I love the variety that my job comes with. My sensory integration training has been essential to helping me understand sensory differences and how to create the ‘just right challenge’ for the kids I work with.

SIE: What inspired you to write Just See Me? Was there a particular moment or experience with your daughter Ciara that made you realise this story needed to be told?

SG: The book was inspired by my daughter Ciara who is 7 and has a rare condition called CHARGE syndrome. Ciara is deafblind (dual sensory loss), she is autistic and has an intellectual disability. Despite all of her differences she just wants to play and have fun like any other kid. 

Sarah's daughter Ciara

I wanted to write something to highlight the strengths and abilities of children with disabilities because people, including professionals, often underestimate them by focusing on their differences or deficits.  I want parents to be able to read it with their children to help them understand and not be afraid of disability and to reduce ableism and increase awareness.  I noticed that parents in the playground would often be apologising or nervous when their children asked questions about Ciara’s disability and I want to try and reduce the fear about disability and encourage an open and honest conversation.

SIE: The book’s message—seeing a child beyond their disability—is both powerful and deeply needed. How did you approach balancing honesty about difference with a celebration of strength and individuality in the book’s narrative?

SG: I tried to just ‘name it’ and show the reality of some of the differences that Ciara presents with.  I think there is a lot of fear about the unknown and for people who are not that aware of disability they might not know how to react. For example, when Ciara used a Kaye walker to mobilise or that she needs a PEG tube for feeding but still likes an ice cream as a treat! I wanted to show that despite all of her needs and equipment she just wants to have fun and enjoy and play like any other child.  I think having representation is so important for kids and parents to see what disabilities can entail and this will help to reduce fear and help people to see the child for who they really are.

SIE: What has the response been like from parents, educators and professionals since the book’s publication? Have any reactions stood out to you or moved you in particular?

SG: The response has been amazing and people have been so kind, interested and keen to share it around.  Pre-schools and mainstream and special schools alike have all given lovely feedback about the importance of the message and how there are not enough books like it out there. Parents have told me about how it has helped them start a conversation about disability and inclusion with their own children.  I have also heard lovely stories of kids wanting to bring it into school to read to their classes and share with friends which is so lovely as well!

SIE: We’re aware all proceeds go to the Anne Sullivan Centre for people who are deafblind. Could you tell us more about your connection to the Centre and what the “Donate a Book” initiative aims to achieve?

SG: The Anne Sullivan Foundation is the national organisation for people who are deafblind in Ireland and they have a full charity funded national Outreach service which Ciara has been availing of since she was a baby.   

People often think deafblindness means you’re fully deaf and fully blind but it doesn’t. It’s the dual sensory loss or combination of both senses being impacted which has a compounding impact.  

The Anne Sullivan foundation staff are specialised in deafblindess and supporting people with those needs and I really wanted the book to raise awareness and funds to support their service. We decided to set up a ‘donate a book’ option on their website* which gives people the option of supporting it even if they don’t need/want an actual book. When someone donates a book the Anne Sullivan foundation will distribute them to schools they work with to help spread the word.

SIE: You’ve done a remarkable job gaining coverage across Irish and UK media. What has that journey into advocacy and public storytelling been like for you, especially stepping beyond your clinical role?

SG: It’s definitely been a steep learning curve! I was thrilled to sign a contract with Austin Macauleys publishers and once I received copies of the books I just did my best to reach out to radio and newspapers everywhere to try to spread the word.  I got great support from a local bookseller, Khans bookshop in Kilkenny and had a book signing there with national radio presenter Kieran Cuddihy giving an introduction. I was also delighted to be interviewed on Miriam O’Callaghan’s RTE radio show and she very kindly came to the Dublin launch of the book in the Anne Sullivan Centre.  I have been doing my best to promote it on social media and it was a real ‘pinch me’ moment when it went to number 2 on the bestsellers list in O’Mahony’s Booksellers who stock all the Irish Libraries! It was a bit daunting stepping into advocacy and telling my personal story but I’m so passionate about inclusion that I was thrilled to be able to share the positive message that I hope the book brings.

SIE: For other professionals working in disability who might have creative or advocacy ambitions, what advice would you give about using their voice beyond traditional clinical practice?

SG: I would recommend reading, listening to and including the lived experience as much as possible in your practice.  I think by truly listening to people with disabilities, we can help give them a voice and share their stories and really advocate for changing society for the better.  There are so many amazing services working tirelessly to support people with disabilities and sharing innovative ideas which have worked well or been meaningful will help others to learn and recreate and support even more people.

SIE: If there’s one key message you’d love professionals, parents and the public to take away after reading Just See Me, what would it be?

SG: The key message I would to like to share is that someone’s disability doesn’t define them. I hope this book will help children, and adults, to learn to see beyond what looks different and embrace everyone for who they are.

* If you’d like to take part in the Anne Sullivan Donate a Book initiative, click here for more details.

If reading this has inspired you to read Sarah's book in full, you can purchase a copy from the bookstores listed below: