J.K. Rowling speaks about her charity and her personal fears
J.K. Rowling speaks up about her charity Lumos and even delves into some personal fears she has regarding Harry Potter! Find out all about it here!
J.K. Rowling has always been in support of many different kinds of charities and philanthropic work. But Lumos is her personal creation. The Lumos foundation was created in 2004, after Rowling saw a news story. She reveals to CNN that she was pregnant at the time she read a story about children being kept in cages.
There was a story about the Czech republic that showcased an institution’s treatment of children with special needs. It blatantly showed the abusive treatment the children were receiving, including being kept in beds that were more like cages for twenty hours a day. This inspired her to create an organization that works to support children in institutions to regain their rights and ultimately end children’s institutions altogether.
If you would like to donate to Lumos, or even just find out more about them in general, you can do that here!
J.K. Rowling and her personal fears
Rowling has a deep seated fear of being powerless and also of small spaces. This, in part, is what led to her creation of the Lumos foundation. But it also came into play when she was creating the character of Harry Potter. Cupboard under the stairs, anyone? During an interview with CNN, Rowling revealed that he hadn’t really thought about it being a subconscious decision to put Harry in a situation that she herself found terrifying. There were other abusive behaviors that Harry also had to withstand from the Dursleys of course, but being locked in a small space was by far the worst one.
Related Story: Check out this article for more of Rowling's amazing accomplishments!
J.K. Rowling also has a fear of losing a manuscript, something that she revealed to others during a celebration of her 50th birthday. A birthday that she celebrated during Halloween time with a costume party. A costume party that required all of it’s attendees to dress up as their worst fear. Rowling attended her own party in a dress that was covered in a lost manuscript. But not just any manuscript. Rowling had her first novel, that was written longhand scrawled across the dress! And it still sits in her closet!
What do you think about Rowling’s party dress being covered in words that may never be published? What would your costume have been? Let us know in the comments below! And stick with Wizards and Whatnot for all of your J.K. Rowling needs!