You know, I was thinking about the numerous friends I know who have children with debilitating diseases and disorders, ranging from Rett's Disease to hemophilia to severe food allergies to cystic fibrosis. In 100% of these children, I was not present during diagnosis nor have I ever seen them at their physician to prove they have what the parents say that they have. I have just always taken their word and couldn't fathom a parent wanting their child to struggle with these issues. I'm completely understanding of how easy this was to pull off.
Now, I'm gonna be looking at everyone all sideways with suspicion. ������
I have a relative with a child who has a chronic illness, and I see what she goes through with doctors and insurance claims. (Dealing with insurance companies is a huge stress on families!) She has to be tough, that's for sure, to deal with the illness, the medical team, and with outsiders who pass judgement when they have no idea what she goes through.
And...I also have an acquaintance of whom I've been suspicious. There are details about Gypsy's case that remind me of this woman's daughter. The girl I know had seizures that only the mom witnessed. She was on seizure meds for awhile (until the mom "cured" her witn her own remedy at about age 8). At one point the girl spent time at a sleep clinic. The child also seemed to be super dreamy - not quite living in reality, but yet bright and cheerful. Sort of like a pixie.
It seemed like a sick child with a caring mom, but there was always something "off" about the descriptions. The mom would pursue specialists for a particular ailment and then abruptly declare the child had something completely different and would start again with a new medical team. This happened repeatedly. They also moved often and abruptly.
And while I told myself I was crazy to think so, I noticed the child got sick whenever a stress happened in the mom's life. Of course, that could be natural for a child to get sick when the mom was distracted with worries, but it gave me the impression that the mom used the girl to get out of responsibilities. But, yet, I felt it was unfair of me to think that.
We lost touch after her last move to a different state, but when I knew her, I always felt like I was on the verge of being conned. She was very charming and fun, but something was just "off." Or I was overly imaginative. Never could figure out which.