A WOMAN whose husband has been on dialysis for more than six years has created a children’s book to help youngsters understand the treatment.

Anita Howell has drawn on the experiences of the couple’s son and daughter, to develop the story.

The family from Burgess Hill are now hoping to book can help other youngsters going through the same experience.

Simon Howell, 42, a retired doctor, was born with a serious kidney condition called renal dysplasia and has contributed to the book.

He had his first kidney transplant in 2005 thanks to his mother offering to be a living door.

Unfortunately in 2009 the kidney failed and Mr Howell was added to the transplant waiting list.

He has to have four sessions of dialysis a day and suffers serious levels of tiredness while facing an uncertain future.

When Dr Howell began dialysis, the couple tried to find a children’s book to explain to their daughter Sarah, now nine, about the changes she would see.

Mrs Howell, 41, said: “She was about three years old at the time and it was difficult to explain to her about things that daddy might not be able to do any more, like picking her up.

“We looked to see if there were any suitable picture books that could help explain the situation to her in a way she could understand.

“There were plenty for children who were patients but none for children whose family members might be having treatment.

“In the end we used our own medical knowledge to explain it all ourselves.”

A few years later Dr Howell changed the type of dialysis, which involved surgery and the couple found themselves in the same position again of having to explain to a young child what was happening.

This time it was for their son James, who is nearly four.

Mrs Howell said: “We looked for a book again in the hope that in the intervening years someone had created something but there was nothing around.

“That was when we decided to go for it and create our own book.

“Sarah and James are not the only children going through this and hopefully this book will help other kids and families.

“Everyone we have spoken to has said what a great idea it is so we will see how things go.”

The book called H is for Haemodyalysis, tells the story of Lucy and Jack and their father’s treatment.

It is told from the perspective of the older daughter and features bright and colourful illustrations and simple language.

Copies of the book are being donated to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and Guy’s Hospital in London, where Dr Howell receives his treatment.

The book costs £7.45 and is available on Amazon at: amazon.co.uk/dp/1535024488