Synopsis

A young girl is perched on the cold chrome of yet another doctor's examining table, missing yet another day of school. Just twelve, she's tall, skinny, and weak. It's four o'clock, and she hasn't been allowed to eat anything all day. Her mother, on the other hand, seems curiously excited. She's about to suggest open-heart surgery on her child to 'get to the bottom of this.' She checks her teeth for lipstick and, as the doctor enters, shoots the girl a warning glance. This child will notruin her plans.

From early childhood, Julie Gregory was continually X-rayed, medicated, and operated on-in the vain pursuit of an illness that was created in her mother's mind. Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) is the world's most hidden and dangerous form of child abuse, but Julie Gregory not only survived, she escaped the powerful orbit of her mother's madness and rebuilt her identity as a vibrant, healthy young woman.

Reviews

‘'A terrific writer, she keeps us aghast as the helpless girl is dragged from one specialist to another…. It is an appalling, fascinating story, expertly told.'
The Sunday Times

'… a brave, passionate and horrifying memoir…. This is a true story of survival and achievement against the odds, and it is not over yet."
The Sunday Telegraph

'… gut-wrenching stuff… Gregory has had the courage to look at what happened to her and to say, "Enough; the cycle of misery stops here."'
The Telegraph

About the Author

Julie Gregory grew up in southern Ohio. She is now an expert writer and spokesperson on Munchausen by proxy and an advocate in MBP cases. Julie is a graduate student in psychiatry at Sheffield University. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation