How Dubai's Paralympian author Jessica Smith helps kids see disability differently: 'Not broken, but strong'

There’s a reason we feared villains in cartoons as children. They were purposely grotesque  from Captain Hook’s hook-like hand to the horrifying Mojo Jojo in Powerpuff Girls (you know the one). Villainy was almost always tied to some form of physical deformity. And for young, impressionable minds, those associations stick.

That’s exactly what Jessica Smith, a powerful Paralympian-turned-author, wants to dismantle especially through storytelling for children. The author, who was recently Speaking at Emirates Literature Foundation’s recent ‘Reading for Pleasure’ conference, told us how she’s using books to challenge outdated narratives, promote representation, and offer children a broader, more inclusive view of the world.

Changing the story: Why children need inclusive books

Explaining why diversity in children’s books are more important than ever, she says, “Books offer a safe, accessible space for children to explore identities, experiences, and perspectives different from their own. Diversity in children’s literature helps to normalise difference and foster empathy. When children see a wide range of characters reflected in stories, they learn that inclusion is not exceptional, it’s expected.”

There’s a deeper reason behind why it matters to her. “Historically, the villain in so many classic children’s books and films is depicted with a physical disability or deformity, a hook for a hand, grotesque scarring, a limp. I grew up with both physical difference and visible scars, and when I turned to books in search of someone who looked like me, I was met instead with fear, pity, or evil. I didn’t see myself as the hero. I saw myself as the threat. And it’s incredibly hard, as a child, to break free from that narrative,” she says.

Books have the power to shift perspectives and create a sense of belonging. No child should feel like their difference is something to be feared, or erased.  That’s the heart of her mission, to rewrite the script for children who’ve never seen themselves as the hero.

As she explains further, stories show how children see themselves. It’s a way to travel without their feet; and it’s how they see themselves within it. “Inclusive stories act as both mirrors and windows: mirrors that reflect a child’s own identity and experiences, and windows that offer insight into the lives of others. When children find themselves represented in stories, it validates their existence and builds self-worth,” she says.

 And when they see diversity woven naturally into the narrative, they learn that difference is not something to be questioned or feared,  it’s something to be embraced. These stories lay the foundation for compassion, curiosity, and confidence, helping children grow into empathetic and open-minded individuals.

Reclaiming her story

For Smith, storytelling has been healing. It helped her reclaim a narrative that had long been shaped by others by their assumptions, stereotypes, and discomfort. “For much of my early life, people made up stories about me before I had the chance to speak for myself. But when I began writing and sharing my truth, especially through my children’s books, it became a way to not only process my own experiences but to turn them into something positive for others,” adds Smith.

One particular moment that stands out, was reading Jessica Goes to School aloud to a group of school children, and seeing a little girl with a limb difference just like hers, light up with recognition. “Her eyes beaming and her smile radiating. In that moment, I realised that my story wasn’t just helping me heal, it was giving children like her a new, empowering way to see themselves. That’s the real magic of storytelling.”

 Writing for joy, not lessons

As Smith says, the best stories are those that feel real, not forced. “I focus on creating characters who are authentic, relatable, and multifaceted,” she says.  Their differences are part of their journey, not the whole story. “Through humour, adventure, and curiosity, children naturally uncover deeper themes of acceptance and resilience without feeling like they’re being lectured or taught a moral.”

What’s her hope when a child with a disability, or who feels different, reads her books? It’s simple: They should feel seen. “I want kids to know that they matter, just as they are. That being different isn’t something to hide or fix, but something to celebrate. If my books can make even one child feel prouder, braver, or more connected to their story, then I’ve done my job,” says Smith.

 How her own childhood and experiences find their way into her books

Each story in her Just Jessica series is based on a real moment from her growing up years. While Jessica Goes To School, tells the story of her first day at school, Jessica Goes Swimming is about her swimming race, and Jessica Joins the Band, is based on learning to play instruments in music class.

“These were big, formative experiences that came with all kinds of emotions, nerves, excitement, and moments of self-doubt but also triumph. As someone who grew up with a visible difference, I know how powerful it is to see yourself in a story. Writing these books has been a way of honouring the little girl I was, and helping other children feel seen and celebrated in their own journeys,” says Smith.

The turning point: Becoming a mother

Recalling a specific moment that made her realise the impact her story could have on children, she says, the real turning point came when she became a mother. “As I looked at the bookshelves, I noticed how few stories featured characters that looked like me or reflected the kind of difference I had grown up with. I asked myself: How will I explain my story to my own children if it doesn’t exist in the books they read? That’s when I realised I had to write the kind of books I wish I had as a child, and the kind my parents had longed for too, to help them support me, but to also offer them some reassurance and validation.”

 Creating those stories was a way to fill that gap. The school visits and the reactions from children, teachers, and parents have only reaffirmed what she already believed: There is deep power in representation, and kids need stories that help them feel seen.

 Helping children talk about bodies and belonging

Honesty, kindness, and a pinch of curiosity. “Children are incredibly perceptive, and they often notice differences before adults do, so rather than avoid those conversations, I invite them in,” she says, emphasising that she talks about difference not as something to be feared or pitied, but what makes us, uniquely us. “I share my own experiences openly, including moments of feeling unsure or left out, and how I learned to see my body not as broken, but as strong and capable, just different.”

What advice would she have for parents and educators?

“Model it. Celebrate all kinds of bodies. Create space for open, judgment-free conversations. Choose books and media that reflect diversity and challenge stereotypes. And always reinforce that their worth isn't tied to appearance, but to who they are as human beings. Children learn by example and that includes how we speak about ourselves and others. For many of us, it means being the role model you never had.”

 She has one message for children: “You are enough, just as you are. Your story matters. And the world needs your voice.”