Question C

[Jonetta]

Olivia’s parents and sister never come to visit her. When questioned about it, Olivia says, “My mother has caller ID. As soon as she sees it’s the hospital calling, she won’t pick up. My disease is too stressful for her.” Both parents seem to blame Olivia for being sick. Why? How does their neglect affect Olivia both then and later?

[Anita]

I can sympathize with Olivia's mothers' attitude, but I don't understand it at all. She is a total narcissist. They blame her for upending their lives and as hard as Olivia tried to be strong and not let it affect her it did.

[Sandra]

I can’t get over the fact they did this to an eleven year old child who was battling a deadly disease. Their own child. At a time she needed their love & support. Basically, they made it all about them. How much it stressed them & inconvenienced them. She was perfect enough for them. That’s just sad.

[Susan]

I can't believe even her sister would not support Olivia. What a selfish family and even in the end the mother and sister remain selfish. I felt so bad for Olivia

[Jessica]

What I find hard to believe is that Olivia didn't have more psychological problems as an adult because of this. She should probably have some serious PTSD. Perhaps her Aunt was enough support for her, and of course her friend group.

[Sharon]

I find her parents' attitude appalling. They considered the illness a black mark on their family, which is ridiculous. I think there is a little PTSD after the experience, which accounts for some of Olivia's fears of the disease returning.

Again, I can look back on my experience. There was a young girl in the hospital ward with me from West Virginia. Her parents were very poor and couldn't come up to Maryland every Sunday because her father had to be at work on Monday morning.

Every other parent there took turns bringing a gift and spending quality time with her and give her news from her family. They also took pictures to send to her family. It helped her because she understood her parents couldn't afford to visit weekly and keep her in a good treatment hospital. It hurt her sometimes but she appreciated what her family was sacrificing for her. I can't imagine a parent of a seriously ill child avoiding any contact.

[Robin]

I couldn't believe how Olivia's family acted toward her when she was in the hospital. They considered their family to be perfect, and Olivia didn't fit the mold. They treated her like the illness was her fault. I wonder what they said to friends and neighbors about their daughter. Maybe they never even mentioned that Olivia was ill.