Granting You A Second Life

Private suite 3.

The social worker was trying to persuade Yu Guan-Yin to answer her questions but she was failing miserably.

Social worker spoke with sincerity: "We're all here to help you. I realize this is a difficult situation but we're all going to do everything we can."

The psychiatrist along with B and F were patiently waiting by the side.

Yu Guan-Yin kept her eyes closed and as tears streamed down her face.

When Li Xiuying walked in Yu Guan-Yin finally opened her eyes and whispered: "Dr. Li."

Li Xiuying walked over to Yu Guan-Yin.

The social worker stood up and sat in another seat. Li Xiuying took the now vacated seat.

Li Xiuying: "Yu Guan-Yin you're safe."

Yu Guan-Yin nodded, She truly believed Dr. Li's words.

Li Xiuiyng: "Are you fine talking to me with everyone present?"

Yu Guan-Yin nodded as long as Dr. Li was here she didn't care about everyone else. Besides she would have to deal with all the others sooner or later.

Li Xiuying: "You have been through a lot. You may not feel or believe it now but you are strong and you will continue to grow stronger."

Yu Guan-Yin looked at Dr. Li. She didn't feel strong, she felt weak and broken.

Li Xiuying: "I would like to discuss the situation with your mother." She paused to allow Yu Guan-Yin the opportunity to voice her refusal.

Social worker: "Perhaps it would be better to discuss everything tomorrow? Yu Guan-yin has been through a lot and..."

Li Xiuying: "She's able to make her own decisions. She can speak for herself."

Yu Guan-Yin: "Okay."

Li Xiuying: "I believe that your mother has a condition called Munchhausen syndrome by proxy. It occurs when a parent or carer exaggerates or deliberately enforces symptoms of illness in their child. In this instance your mother imposed illness on you. She fabricated symptoms of illness so she could receive attention from health care professionals."

All the staff in the room were shock. None of the staff in the room had ever come across this condition first hand. The condition is very hard to diagnose as the people who have it are deceptive, manipulative and have a deep understanding of the medical system. Hence, many cases are not reported or detected.

Yu Guan-Yin: "What happens now?"

Li Xiuying: "I would like you to talk to my colleagues here. We need to ensure you are safe and protected and that would mean that you will not be released into your mother's custody for the foreseeable future."

Yu Guan-Yin worriedly asked: "What about my mom?"

Li Xiuying: "She's talking to Dr. Ma who is one of the psychiatrists at this hospital. There is no medication for the condition. If she admits she has the condition then the only management options are psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy to help analyse and change her behavior."

Li Xiuying allowed time for Yu Guan-Yin to process what she has said.

Yu Guan-Yin: "Will she go to jail?"

Li Xiuying: "The police will be notified."

Yu Guan-Yin spoke in a small voice: "Dr. Li do you think there's something wrong with me? Even after everything all the tests, medication and surgery. Even after everything. I still love and care for my mother. I know she loves me too, she hasn't had it easy either. But when you offered me help. When you offered me a road to salvation I just had to take it. There was something inside me telling me that if I didn't escape now I never would." She sobbed gently.

It was common for older children who have been abused for many year to develop feelings of loyalty and a sense of guilt if the person who had abused them is removed from the family.

It was already astonishing that Yu Guan-Yin's perception of illness and reality wasn't effected by her mother.

Li Xiuying : "A child who loves their parent isn't strange." It was not her place to voice her opinion on Cheng Meilin. Additionally it was clear that Yu Guan-Yin stilled loved her mother. Li Xiuying didn't want to force ideas on Yu Guan-Yin.

Li Xiuying: "Guan-Yin. I have to ask an uncomfortable question. Who caused all your fractures?"

Yu Guan-Yin clenched her fists.

The social worker spoke: " Was it your mother?"

Yu Guan-Yin became defensive: "Its not my mom! Don't you accuse her wrongfully."

Li Xiuying gave the social worker a cold look before returning her gaze to Yu Guan-Yin: "It's not your mother."

Yu Guan-Yin: "That's right Dr. Li. It really isn't mother."

Li Xiuying waited patiently for Yu Guan-Yin to continue speaking.

Yu Guan-Yin stared down at her hands as she spoke. This was the first time she had told anyone about what was going on at home. She didn't have anyone she could tell even if she wanted too

Yu Guan- Yin: "Dr. Li You have to help us. You have to help to save my brother and mom from that monster." She stared off into space with a glazed look as she revealed her deepest darkest secrets and fears.

Yu Guan-Yin: "Its my biological father. He hits us. When I was little he would just hit mom.

I still remember the first time I saw him slap mom. I was 5 years old. Mom and I were in the kitchen eating breakfast. Then he walked in and accused mom of ironing his shirt wrong and started shouting at her. Mom just cowered and said that she would do a better job next time. Dad slapped her so hard that mom fell on the floor. She didn't get up for a few minutes. I just sat there frozen.

When I got older I started to try and defend mom but that just made him angrier. He then started hitting me too. He even pushed me down the stairs.... that was when I fractured my hip.

He doesn't hit my brother Bai but he's come close. He just shouts at him. He keeps trying to take Bai out with him at night but I always stop him. That causes him to become enraged and he takes his anger out on me with his fists. I think our neighbor heard my screams one night and called the police because of the noise. But we all had to pretend that nothing happened.

A month after the police came that monster brought a strange old man to our house who kept staring at Bai with this disgusting look in his eyes. That so called father said... if I ever tell anyone anything he would sell Bai." Yu Guan- Yin cried her heart out.

Yu Guan-Yin thought it would be difficult for her to talk about everything that's happened, but once she started she couldn't stop. She wanted to tell Dr. Li all her grievances. She believed Dr. Li would keep her safe.

Li Xiuying: "We'll get Bai to safety." She looked at B from the corner of her eye and signaled for him to go. B immediately left to call the police and alert social services of the new development in the situation.

10 minutes passed and Yu Guan-Yin felt a little lighter after crying out some of her pain.

Yu Guan-Yin hiccuped then spoke: "What if mom and Bai hate me? Bai's still young and see's that man as his father and Mom still loves him. She refused to leave him even after everything that he's done, even after the years of beatings and emotional torture. He even brings other women home and makes mom watch." Her voice became quieter as she spoke

Everyone in the room had one thought: What a depraved human being!

Yu Guan-Yin: "Bai's only 8 he doesn't understand anything. What if he resents me when he's older? They're all I have. I don't have any other family and I don't have any friends. That man won't allow me to go to school and made mom home school me instead. I have no one but my mom and Bai. I don't want to lose them. Dr. Li I Can't lose them."

Li Xiuying spoke softly but her voice contained deep emotions: "Have your years of silent endurance changed anything?"

Yu Guan-Yin cried out: "No."

There was a silence that descended on the room.

Yu Guan-Yin spoke with strength in her voice: "I don't want to endure anymore."