Literary prize for Limerick woman who has faced health challenges
Lisnagry woman Michele Roys’s book has won an international award
A LISNAGRY woman is celebrating this week after winning an international literary prize.
Michele Roys has landed an International Impact Book Award for her debut novel But you look just fine, which details her daily struggle with trigeminal neuralgia.
The chronic disorder causes excruciating, electric-shock-like facial pain.
But Michele, who describes herself as a “chronic pain warrior”, has found a way to live with the condition, and her book has given hope to many people.
This has been recognised by the International Impact Book Awards, which exists to amplify voices which create meaningful impact.
"I felt elated when I heard I had won, but at the same time, I could not believe it. There are so many mixed emotions.
"It was such a challenge to write, but to know it has had an impact on the lives of so many people is overwhelming,” said Michele, who hopes to attend the awards ceremony at Phoenix in Arizona, USA next month.
It was on the persuasion of a friend that she decided to enter.
She thinks the fact she is so open about her struggle with chronic pain – but also able to find “hope and joy” in its midst has resonated with people the most.