Donna Rhodes Collins, author of On the Wings of Love, Michael's Story, lives with her husband in Missouri.

Growing up, did you ever think about writing a book?

No, I didn't think of writing a book. I did write a little poetry and was published. Also wrote for the school newspaper.

Your brother is a writer, isn't he?

Yes, my brother, Bernie Rhodes is a published author of D. B. Cooper, the Real McCoy. He is writng his second book now.

Did the two of you discuss On the Wings of Love before you wrote it?

Yes, Bernie and I discussed Wings several times before I started the book. He encouraged me to do so.

Did he give you any good advice?

Yes, Bernie told me to get a good editor, the key to getting a book published. And he said to write from the heart, which I felt I did.

How did you go about deciding what you would include in the book?

When I started Wings, I wasn't really sure exactly what would be included. I did know I must write a chapter on the actual disease, Kawasaki, which took Michael's life. I started writing stories that I wanted to be told, then subsequently pulled them all together.

How long did it take you?

Actually, I spent two and a half years writing and rewriting and researching as much as I could about Kawasaki disease. Little was known about KD at the time.

Most people write fiction or, if they write nonfiction, can often take an objective look at a subject. You did not have that option when you wrote about your grandson's death resulting from Kawasaki's disease. How did you come to write about this very personal experience?

I knew everything in Wings had to be true. I kept notes from the very onset of Kawasaki disease and every ache, pain, reaction, Drs. appointments or tests that Michael had. My Grandson Nicholas, age 6, Michael's cousin, said he wouldn't remember Michael as he got older, not the way we had known him. I told him, yes you will. I will write it all down, the good, the bad, and the ugly (Referring to KD.)

Do you think it would have been easier to draw on the experience and write it as fiction?

I decided it had to be nonfiction. This was easier to draw on the experience of the actual happenings than to try to embellish the truth.

Had you published before you wrote this book?

No, I hadn't published a book when I wrote Wings, but as I said I had some poetry published.

How did you begin this book?

I began the book with doing some research on the actual disease, discussing the disease with many doctors at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis. Then, I started with the beginning, Michael's actual birth. It came easy after that, until he became ill. Then, the tears and heartaches came back all over again.

You chose to use your grandson's artwork on the jacket of this book. Were there other choices you wanted to be sure were included in the book?

Michael gave me the painting, which now hangs in our dining room, 2 months before his death. I knew this had to be in the book. I toyed with the idea of an angel, and the title, "An Angel Too Soon", but opted for On the Wings of Love. Its use is described in the book.

I believe this is the only book for the lay person on Kawasaki's Disease. Had you heard about it before your grandson became afflicted?

We had never heard of Kawasaki disease at the time Michael was diagnosed in April 1984. There wasn't any information about the disease except a small pamphlet from the Center for Disease Control. As to my knowledge and the info from the Kawasaki Disease Foundation and several research doctors, this is the only book published about a family's personal experience with KD.

What do you think is the most important factor in dealing with this disease?

The most important factor in dealing with KD is to make young parents aware of it. Too little is known about it and it's after-effects. Time and research will help us learn about this mysterious stranger that invaded our lives.

I know you have actively pursued the understanding of this disease.

I have been involved with KD for 20 years now. It's a terrible disease, rare and unique, that strikes children up to the age of 8 yrs. But, we have now had reports that a couple of teenagers, age 15, have been diagnosed and now 2 that are 22 yrs.old also. This is extremely rare. We were told in 1984 that no 2 children in a family would have KD. Now, we are seeing 2 and 3 children in a family being diagnosed. And yet it is not contagious from one child to another. 80% of all children diagnosed with KD have no heart problems, 18% have mild to severe heart problems—including aneurysms. 2% die within 45 days of diagnosis. Now we have a treatment. A Gammugloblin IV, if administered within a 10 day frame, will lessen or eliminate heart problems. Also, massive doses of baby aspirin is given to keep the blood thin and flowing freely.

What in the book has brought you the most satisfaction?

I can't say anything in the book. I feel the whole book brought me consolation and peace and satisfaction. It was very therapeutic to tell it all for generations to come, to know Michael and his illness as we did.

Donna, have you thought about writing something else?

I am writing another book, a little at a time. This one has been for fun...fiction drawn on facts. After finishing a day of writing, I neglected to back up on the disk for that day and lost that part when my computer crashed. So, it was back to almost square one again. I also have the movie version of Wings half finished.

Has writing your book in any way changed your life?

Yes, it has changed my life. Actually, I wanted to write, but raising a family took much of my time. Now, they're grown and on their own and it's my time. And I love it!! I am busier now than I've ever been. I don't find as much time to write as I'd like as I do support volunteer work and calls for the KD foundation.

Are you glad you wrote, even if the subject was painful for you?

Oh, I'm not only glad I wrote Wings, but happy that I got it accomplished. Many in the family have not read Wings because it's too painful, but if they don't, that's fine. It's there, just in case they would want to. I have been approached by a good friend who's daughter has multiple sclerosis since she was 19 yrs. old to write her life story. She is now 43. But, I live, breathe and listen to KD stories everyday through the support system with the KD foundation and I'm not ready to take on another disease. And Wings has helped me many times to talk to people about the disease. Am I glad I wrote it, you bet! I would do it again and would love to finish the movie. Also, it's time to do something for fun.