Windsor, Ont. survivor of open-heart surgery writes children’s book

A Windsorite has written a children’s book, set to prepare families for open-heart surgery. CTV Windsor’s Stefanie Masotti reports.

A Windsor, Ont., woman is looking to inspire and bring hope to children and their families preparing for open-heart surgery.

The children’s book “The Zipper Club” is based on Christine Montgomery’s personal experience back in 1973.

“I knew my whole childhood. I was very sick, and I was different,” said Montgomery, who wrote the book.

“I was the different child at school that wasn’t able to run and play and skip and jump,” the author said.

Doctors discovered a hole in her heart at the age of five. She had her first open-heart surgery at age seven.

“I was a scared little girl,” she detailed.

“Back then there was no ultrasounds. These doctors were going in pretty much blind.”

At 32, she said doctors discovered her Atrioventricular Septal Defect (ASD) returned. In addition, a diagnosis of valve disease, which she said was monitored through medication.

Montgomery would have a second open-heart surgery in 2020.

“I was born with a congenital heart defect,” she said.

“If somebody has a scar on their chest, they should be proud. They should wear it proud.”

Montgomery, 59, said she decided at the age of 25 that she wanted to write a book to help children and their caregivers.

“Reading to a child is very heartfelt. It’s very loving,” said Montgomery, who is now a mother to four children and a grandmother to two grandchildren.

The book’s mascot is named Buttons, a teddy bear that took her five days to crochet.

“Emotional support. Something to hold on to. Something to love when they’re going through something very traumatic in their life,” she said about Button.

“I’m just very proud of myself, that I actually did it. It’s been stuck in my head for years and years.”

If you would like to get a copy, you can purchase “The Zipper Club” by emailing [e-mail].

- The illustrations of this book were created using AI, but the story was fully written by the author, Christine Montgomery.