World Book Day is held each year on April 23 to promote the joy of reading. This year, we spotlight two compelling biographies that share the inspiring journeys of medical pioneers who transformed the lives of people affected by leprosy.
When Hope Came: The Unshakeable Legacy of Trevor and Heather Smith
When Hope Came is an inspiring and engaging biography of two remarkable change-makers, Trevor and Heather Smith. This Australian couple battled floods, stigma, poverty, and isolation to revolutionise treatment and change community attitudes towards leprosy in northern Thailand. Through innovation, perseverance, and faith, they brought hope, healing, and dignity to those whom society had rejected.
Author Janet Walmsley’s bestselling title has been entered for the 2025 Sparklit Australian Christian Book of the Year Awards. She is thrilled that the Smiths’ story of resilience and pioneering medical and social work is reaching is reaching to a broader audience.
A Story That Speaks to Everyone
Readers of all backgrounds have been deeply moved by the book. Jeannie, a former colleague of the author, shared:
“I read it as a ‘non-Christian’ and did not feel at all like I was being preached at.”
“The real miracle in this book isn’t supernatural—it’s the kindness, resilience, and love that Trevor and Heather showed to those society had thrown away.”
Walmsley’s conversational storytelling style uses personal experiences instead of dry historical facts, making the book engaging and informative.
“It’s a really engaging read, and I learned a lot about leprosy—and Thailand—from it.” A touch of humour also shines through, with anecdotes like Heather dodging goose droppings in a classroom and a pilot circling a control tower to get a distracted air traffic controller’s attention!
Find out more about When Hope Came here!
Doctor Number 49 – the “old dragon” with a surgeon’s heart.
Another incredible read is Doctor Number 49, the autobiography of pioneering surgeon Dr. Grace Warren. Over 40 years, she not only changed the way leprosy was treated but her techniques are now being applied to diabetes, post-trauma patients and others who have problems similar to those of leprosy.
When she worked at Hay Ling Chau Leprosy Hospital in Hong Kong in the 1960s, patients affectionately (or fearfully!) nicknamed her “the Old Dragon”—even though she was in her early 30s! Her strict but caring approach helped patients learn the discipline needed for recovery.
Scraping Through School, Soaring Through Surgery
Dr Warren’s journey was far from easy. She struggled academically and had to retake her Leaving Certificate before barely making it into medical school. Today, she admits she might not have got in at all under modern admission standards.
However, her perseverance, combined with a practical mindset, led her to develop ground-breaking techniques in reconstructive surgery, restoring function and dignity to people suffering from leprosy-related nerve damage.
“My older sister insisted that when I embroidered, the back had to look as neat as the front. She had no idea she was training a future surgeon to do tiny, precise stitches!” Warren recalls.
Bringing Healing Where It’s Needed Most
In the male-dominated world of surgery in the 1950s, opportunities for women to specialise in reconstructive surgery were rare. But by the late 1960s, Dr Warren had not only excelled in the field but had also begun training other surgeons across Asia.
Her work has taken her to countless countries, including Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. In every place, she has helped restore dignity, faith, and hope to people who had often been the most rejected by society.
Find out more about Doctor Number 49 here!
Two Must-Reads That Will Inspire You
Both When Hope Came and Doctor Number 49 are more than just biographies—they are stories of perseverance, faith, and the power of compassion. Whether you are interested in medical missions, personal memoirs, or just need an uplifting read, these books are a perfect choice for World Book Day.
