Big things come in small packages, and at 4 feet tall, Megan Lively packed a lot of kindness into her years before passing away in 2019.
Megan’s story and her adventures at West Virginia Wesleyan College and through Upshur County Special Olympics are the subject of a book written by her mother, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Alisa Mauk Lively.
Writing “It’s the Small Things that Count” is something Lively wanted to do to help with closure and tell Megan’s story to a larger audience.
“No matter what obstacles you face medically in life or developmentally, you can always make a difference,” she said. “I wanted other young children to understand they can impact anyone, no matter how small the gesture.”
Megan was born with ring chromosome 18 – a condition that affected her physical development but never her joy, strength, or generosity.
Through the book, Lively also wants children to understand people who are differently abled and to embrace and include them.
The book is published through Silent Books Publishing, owned by WVWC alum Angel King Wilson ‘13 and illustrated by Ade Chintya.
Lively said Chintya captured Megan right off the bat from her life on campus and with Special Olympics to her dream of being a princess.
Readers will recognize Megan, the scenes around WVWC, and some special people like the late Tobi Carter ‘19, who Megan considered one of her best friends.
“Without a doubt, former students will recall the chipper and feisty princess who was always on campus,” Lively said. “She was immersed in WVWC from 1987-2019.”
Megan spent much time on campus at events, making crafts and using the counter to keep track of the number of students entering the dining hall for events.
“She loved helping with the housing lottery,” she said. “She just loved being here. She loved Aladdin. She made bracelets for many of the staff. Everybody had crafts.”
The title came from Megan.
“I wanted it to reflect something about being kind or small gestures,” she said. “Not only is it small as in small gestures, but it is small because she was 4 feet tall.”
Proceeds from the book’s sale go to Upshur County Special Olympics, where Megan competed for many years, and Lively serves as executive director.
The Foundation for Better Schools purchased five signed copies for each elementary School for grades one through five.
Lively has been able to read the book to some classes already and said holding the finished book for the first time was a great feeling.
“It was undeniably satisfying, and it just makes me feel like she is still here,” Lively said.
Purchase the book here. It is also available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Books A Million.
Link to Amazon: It’s the Small Things that Count. Link to Barnes and Noble: It’s the Small Things that Count. Link to Books A Million: It’s the Small Things that Count.
