The Island family

Abstract

We all meet at some time or other in our lives a family that seems much like any other family, except that one member is mentally ill. The Island family was much like that. It seemed that all was well and could again be well, but for the blundering happenstance of nature that blindly struck their daughter with a critical illness. To their neighbors, and initially to us, the Island family seemed mature and poised, both as individuals and as a family. Their well-being seemed evident by their stated interests and relationships with the community and with us, by their concern with each other, and in particular, their concern and interest in their sick daughter Cass and in her treatment. They seemed eager to undergo treatment and have their daughter do likewise. The parents presented their marriage as a very happy one, and wanted their children to grow up, get married, and be as happy as they were.