One Author’s Unique Challenge by Kerryn Harvey

Writing with only one hand was hard work, but celebrating at the end created an even bigger issue, for author Kerryn Harvey. Here, she tells her story.

“I’m writing a book!” I excitedly announced on my social media platforms back in mid 2024. I had waited 11 years to feel like I was in the right place mentally, physically, and emotionally, to share my story of survival.

A harrowing story of becoming an upper limb amputee after contracting a flesh-eating bacterium that was rapidly ravaging my body. An unbelievable story of surviving against all odds. A powerful story of never giving up. An uplifting story of recovery, rehabilitation and rebuilding a new life full of purpose, fulfilment, and happiness. A story with a message of hope. 

I had no idea how to write a book. I needed to learn the who, what, when, how and why of being an author. Through a mutual connection I joined the Expert Author Community and over a period of many months, I slowly began unravelling the book writing process. Once I had my chapter structure in place it was time to begin writing my chapters. The aim was a book of around 70,000 words.

By “writing” I don’t really mean “writing.” What I mean is typing on my laptop. Typing 70,000 words is a huge challenge for anyone BUT, I had just one left hand, so the challenge was doubled. How was I going to manage? 

Way back in the early 80’s I learnt to touch type at school. A skill I was able to keep up reasonably well throughout my life. After becoming a right-arm amputee in 2013, I had to find a new way to complete every task. Learning to type one handed became one of those tasks. 

“With practice, I found my left hand could still touch type on the left hand side of the keyboard while on the right side I could use one to two fingers only. It was slow and arduous, and my typing was riddled with errors, but it was doable!” 

I put most of the errors down to my left hand scrambling to keep up with my brain! 

On the day I began typing I had no idea how I would complete such a mammoth goal. My biggest worry was repetitive strain injury in my fingers, my wrist and my forearm. I found I could type for around an hour before my hand became fatigued and I needed a rest. Towards the end of each hour, there were more mistakes and more corrections required as I tired. If I was on a roll, I could knock out around 500 words in that hour.

Some days I split my typing into two one hour blocks, one hour in the morning, and one hour in the afternoon or evening. Other days I did not write at all.  Sometimes 30 minutes was enough, and I would spend the rest of that time re-reading, researching, or planning. There was no set routine.

I had many kind offers of help. One friend suggested I use the computer’s built-in dictate feature. I could not imagine using this feature. There would have been much umming and ahhing, laughing, swearing, self-correction, and backtracking.  I was sure it would be far more work and more frustrating than my current mode of typing.

Another friend suggested I use a dictaphone to record my story, send it to her, and she would type it for me. I foresaw the same issues as using the computer’s dictate feature, so I declined.

Yet another friend offered to sit with me and type the words as I spoke. I could only imagine the distractions, the side conversations, and the banter going on. We would get nothing done except catch up on the gossip!

I decided one-armed half touch typing, half two fingered typing was my best way forward. I chipped away at my story and over many months, it started to come together. I hit 1,000 words, 5,000 words, 20,000 words, then 50,000 words. I likened the process to training for a marathon or triathlon, something I was far more accustomed to.

Each word count milestone I took a moment to celebrate and shared the journey with my network to keep them engaged. The writing was progressing well, and my hand and arm seemed to be coping with the load. To assist with the care of my limb, I had regular massages from my trusty massage therapist who has been taking care of my body for years. This was the first time I had asked her to massage my hand though. Normally she was treating the rest of my body from the rigours of the run, ride and swim training I regularly did in my spare time. 

Finally, after 15 months of typing, my story came to its conclusion. Coincidentally, it was right on 70,000 words. I closed my laptop letting out a big sigh of relief. After a few minutes I opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of Champagne. It was one I had been saving for this exact moment. Being home alone at that moment I could see my next one-armed challenge was staring me in the face. How would I open the bottle one handed? I was not going to give up on this hurdle and after some trial and error I was successful. How did I do it? Well, that’s a story for another day. Cheers!

Mostly Ups: How I Survived A Flesh Eating Bacteria is now published.  I am officially an author, and I could not be prouder.

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Kerryn Harvey is a Melbourne-based speaker, author and fitness coach whose story of survival and resilience has inspired audiences across Australia. In 2013, she lost her right arm to a flesh-eating bacterium and was given less than a 5% chance of survival. 

Since rebuilding her life through rehabilitation and sport, Kerryn has become a qualified personal trainer, run coach, boxing and cycling instructor, and former Australian para-triathlon representative. She has represented Australia four times. Kerryn regularly speaks at schools, sporting clubs, corporate events and conferences. 

Her memoir, Mostly Ups, documents her recovery and return to elite sport. Kerryn’s story has been featured by major Australian media, including The Age, Herald Sun, Adelaide Advertiser, ABC, SBS and Sunday Night

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Mostly Ups: How I survived a flesh-eating bacteria

A testament to grit, determination and the power of choosing possibility over limitation ~ Dr Bridie O’Donnell, Author and former Professional Road Cyclist

24 hours can change everything.

When Kerryn Harvey walked out of hospital with nothing more than a patched-up elbow after a minor bike crash, she never expected she’d be back the next night fighting for her life.

What followed was a nightmare: hours of life-threatening surgeries, anxious pacing in hospital corridors and distressed phone calls to loved ones. With only a 5% chance of survival, it seemed that no one would get their final goodbye with Captain Kez.

Days later, Kerryn wakes to an unthinkable reality: she has survived a fatal flesh-eating disease but has lost her right arm and shoulder. From one battle to the next, she must now learn how to live, and more importantly, how to thrive as an amputee.

Refusing to be defined by her loss, Kerryn begins to rebuild her life. From starting a new career to founding a charity and competing for Australia as a para-triathelete, her journey is shaped by resilience and strength, struggle and purpose.

Raw, powerful and deeply inspiring, Mostly Ups is a testament to what can be achieved when you refuse to give up.

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Tags: featured, women writers

Category: How To and Tips