Everyone say hi to Nina Koalaroo and Norah!!
Nina is a brand new character featured in book 2 of the Boom the Chickabee series. My inspiration was sweet Norah who is literally an angel on earth
Full name: Nina Koalaroo
Siblings: Nala Koalaroo
Best friends: Boom, Elsie and Nala
Favourite food: mashed potatoes
Favourite colour: pink
Favourite activity: dancing to music
What Nina is grateful for: the outdoors and the wind in her hair.
Norah’s Story
Norah has a rare genetic defect in her KIF2A gene. There are only 6 documented cases of this in the world. This mutation effects the brain and eye. This explains her micropthalmia (left eye is small eye, 1/3 size of her right eye and unsure if there is vision). She wears a painted shell in her eye which for cosmetic purposes makes her 2 eyes very similar in size.
Norah also has lissencephaly which means smooth brain. The grooves in her brain are not as deep as they should be. This has caused for Norah: low muscle tone (she does not have head control, is unable to sit on her own, or stand up or walk). Norah also has epilepsy which is being controlled by medication. Due to aspiration issues, Norah is also fed via a G-Tube into her belly.
Norah is non-verbal but has a lot of personality and is able to communicate with us in her own ways.
I am bee-yond grateful for Norah and my friend (who just so happens to be her Mama), for working alongside me to bring our character to life! Both are so perfect.
Boom the Chickabee 