About Silk Purse Author Diane Kemp

Diane entered the world in 1932 with a rare endocrine disorder thought to be the result of primitive x-rays as doctors attempted unsuccessfully to save her father from paraplegic results of war wounds sustained at Vimy Ridge.

This disorder was the family secret. The silence was deafening for Diane, knowing that something was so wrong with her that no one would discuss it. Her feelings are expressed in 'The Walk', 'Beast of Burden' and 'Nightmare Inheritance', poems inspired by G. K. Chesterton's 'The Donkey'.

In her attempt to deal with the lifelong angst, Diane discovered a solace and then a joy in writing.

Late in life, Diane discovered 'The Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Support Group' and with her involvement in, and support from this group, she found freedom. She wrote of her experience in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and received a standing ovation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when she spoke to a convention of medical professionals about the challenges she had faced and overcome.

Silk Purse Poems speaks of challenges, solace and joy.