A book signing at the Barnes & Noble on Saturday, Nov. 18, will feature a Prince Edward County native and a story of hope and resilience from the life of the author and her daughter.

The signing for Pamela Slayton Jones’ recently published book, “A Miracle Called Christiana,” will be held from 1-3 p.m.

Jones, in the book, details the life of her daughter, Christiana, who turned 25 this year.

Christiana was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and had mental and developmental disabilities. In 2008, Christiana developed a prolonged seizure, lasting more than five-and-a-half hours that led to a non-responsive state for nine days. Doctors determined that she had only minimal brain activity. Jones said she and her family planned Christiana’s funeral during that time.   

In the book, Jones compiles emails and journal entries she had written during that time, allowing the anxieties, hopes, struggles and faith Jones and her family experienced to make themselves known to the readers.

The miracle came during that period.

“God woke her up,” Jones said.

Christiana, according to the book, came out of the non-responsive state, recovered and returned home and continues to have a vibrant and outgoing personality. She enjoys spending time with her family, seeing musicals and watching Disney films, Jones cited in the book.

Jones said she was able to write down her experiences after leaving a full-time job. The book publisher is Christian Faith Publishing, which has an office in Pennsylvania.

She said she hopes her family’s story will resonate with other families with special needs members.

“I hope they realize they’re not alone,” Jones said. “Because having a special needs child can be very isolating … and that faith makes a difference also and trusting God with the situation. It made a difference for me.”

Jones grew up in Prince Edward County, graduated from Prince Edward Academy, now Fuqua School, and from Longwood University. She said her mother and numerous family members live in the county.

Jones, who currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and family, said she looks forward to revisiting her hometown.

“It’s always nice to come home,” Jones said.

Joyce Slayton, Jones’ mother, said that knowing Christiana has been a gift and praised Jones for sharing their story.

“If (Jones) could give hope to somebody else, I think she would feel like she’s accomplished something,” Slayton said.

Store Manager Amber Clark said she is excited to hold the signing and make Christiana’s story more accessible to people in the area.

“This is one of the reasons we’re so excited to move to Main Street, so that we could have a better venue for community events like this that’s important to the community,” Clark said.