My name is Joe and I am 13 years old. With the help of my family, I started Monster Smiles as a way to be a role model to others, inspiring random acts of kindness, creating smiles and raising awareness of Crohn's Disease.

I go to Perth Children's Hospital a lot because I have the aggressive kind of Crohn's Disease. Even though hospital isn't a fun place, the staff and volunteers that I have met there are amazing! They are kind, selfless, and dedicated people who come in to help children like me and caregivers. They are very inspiring to me.

After a big operation I had which made me stay in hospital for quite a long time I laid in my bed thinking WHAT can I do to help others? The staff and volunteers at the hospital had made my journey so much easier, and I wanted to be able to do the same for others going through hard times. But because I am a child, I knew that the things I could do were limited, however, I knew there must be SOMETHING!

I wanted to start something MEANINGFUL, LONG LASTING, POSITIVE, FUN AND COLOURFUL, and something that everyone could have, not just children. But most importantly it had to be something that brought a SMILE to someone's face.

For weeks I was stuck on this idea.

Towards the second half of my hospital stay my pillow began to get more and more uncomfortable. I had been lying in the hospital bed for waaaaay too long. I moved positions and fluffed my pillow many times. Then I stopped and had a long, hard look at the pillow.

A PILLOW CASE! A SOFT, COLOURFUL, AND FUN PILLOWCASE! "That's what I am going to do!" I told myself.

I told my parents about my idea, and that I wanted to make pillowcases with big monstrous smiles on them to inspire smiles and positivity to people who would receive them. Mum and dad were very supportive and with their support and encouragement we started to plan HOW I was going to tackle what seemed like an impossible task for a 13-year-old.

I thought about the design I wanted, and my parents helped me to get in contact with a graphic artist and a textile manufacturer. Because I wanted to get as many pillowcases as possible to spread as many 'monster-ous' smiles as possible, my parents and I worked to negotiate the best price we could. I used all my pocket money savings I had, and my parents made up the difference and we purchased the initial pillowcases.

The pillowcases are 100% brushed microfibre. The material is super soft. They are individually packaged in a pvc packet with my fun Monster Smiles sticker on the front which makes them perfect for gift giving. I also include one of my black Monster Smiles pens for free as a gift from me to you.

I donate them to the Perth Children's Hospital, Royal Darwin Hospital, Queensland Children's Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Broome Hospital, Royal Hobart Hospital and Townsville University Hospital to the Post Op and General Wards for them to be given out by the staff and volunteers to the patients.

I am also in the process of distributing Monster Smiles pillowcases to other Children's Hospitals within Australia.

In February my pillowcases commence at 25 schools within Australia. I donate the pillowcases to be presented at assemblies as "Smiles and Kindness" Awards to children who have been positive role models within the school.

Pillowcases are available in the online shop for $19.95 which includes postage to anywhere within Australia. Your purchase helps me to continue what I am doing and I really appreciate the support. They make wonderful presents and surprise gifts. I can even post directly to the person you would like to surprise with a handwritten note :)

Even though Monster Smiles is a registered business, most of my profits go into MORE pillowcases so that I can continue gifting and creating smiles. It is magical to know that Monster Smiles can touch so many people and create so much positivity.

Thank you for visiting my website! If you know anyone that could use a 'monster-ous' smile please email me at monstersmiles@ozemail.com.au and I might just be able to help!

Monster Hugs!

Joe