ABOUT Hi5 Resources
How it all started - Hi5 Resources
I’m an organisational psychologist who gave up her career to, share an off-the-beaten-track adventure, with a man. When the family, we expected to have, didn’t emerge. I distracted myself with a collection of pets, projects and dabbling’s in entrepreneurship. In 2018 my prayers to be a mom, were answered, through adoption, and our toddler arrived.
This beautiful boy brought life, in every form, to our lives. The joys were matched with change and STRETCH. It was in this stretch, that Hi5 Resources was unwittingly established. You see, when you can’t find the support you need, you create it! Sharing takes courage, it makes you vulnerable to the reaction of others, and not sharing, means you struggle to find what you need to heal.
In 2020, I approached Melissa Kay, a self-published, author of two beautiful children’s, picture books. She not only agreed to help author our book but also to mentor me in the process.
Flamingo & The River of Stories was brought to life, by trying to find a better way to approach a daily challenge. This creative story not only solved a practical problem (around medication) but also enabled attachment and connection. Later that year (2020), we lost my husband to cancer. Our Flamingo story helped me explain cancer, to our son. I am continually astounded at how well this wonderous story has been assimilated and how it has grown, with us over the years.
Hi5 took a sabbatical and limped along as we adjusted to our new chapter. In 2024 we were able launched the book. It is now available online, here at Hi5, at the HACT or through Books & Books. We hope to enlist more retailers in the future.
It is our hope that along the way, you too will find the courage and creativity to share your journey with others. And when you do, we would love to help you find your voice, support you and/or a relevant platform to share your journey.
One chapter, however, does not make a book…
We have many tales to tell. Tales of the wonderous pilgrims that weave, the fascinating creatures, along the banks of the River of Stories, together.
How can Hi5 Resources serve you?
The Hi5 name was created on the concept of acknowledging, supporting and giving thanks ‘a big Hi 5’ to the people that we connect with and that support us on our journey.
Our aim is to:
- Publish creative resources, full of love, to support families, like ours, trying to find new ways to reframe struggles and facilitate important conversations
- Enable the many professionals who help us manage our children with a support tool that speaks to and prepares the family.
- Inspire other families to share their courageous and transformational stories.
- Mostly to show love to our children who live with difference every day.
How Is The Book Used To Help Children
- Within families as a bedtime story or to start an important conversation. Although initially intended for children taking medication some children/families, have related the story to other concepts such BIG emotions like anxiety.
- With the many professionals like doctors it is used to help prepare and support families with chronic conditions
- Within the schools or community centres it is used as a tool to enable conversation and support structures aimed to assist families.