Was It Worth It? The True Story of David, the Bubble Boy

by Mary Ada Murphy

Baylor Child Psychologist Mary Ada Murphy worked with David for many years, and eventually, before his death, David asked her to write a book about his story, to tell the world. In 1995, she was poised to publish her book, "Was It Worth It? The True Story of David the Bubble Boy," with a now-defunct company called WRS Publishing in Texas. David's parents and their attorneys blocked the publication of the book, and it has never seen the light of day -- Until now.

There is little chance of verifying much of the information in this book -- Mary Murphy and David are both deceased, as are many other individuals involved in David's care.

Hopefully, what information it does provide can be seen as an interesting look into a friendship between the two individuals -- because, as David's mother is quoted as saying in Chapter 23: "My son was special because he made the people important to him believe they were the most special one in his life. What you are writing will be the truth for you, but not necessarily the truth for how he was with me or others." This document serves as an historical reminder of the "truth" as seen by Mary Ada Murphy.

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2013

Reviews

[Numbedtoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and it goes to show what can happen when a few doctors with a single minded focus on the science, can do to someone when they forget that there is an actual person involved, and not a specimen. I grew up hearing stories about the "Boy in the Bubble" and this really offered the unsanitized version of events. I had wondered how could that poor kid not go nuts living like that.

Well, he kinda did, and you can't blame him for his anger and frustration.

This is an important book and it sucks that Texas Children's decided to block it from being widely seen. I think it's pretty fair to all involved even if there are times you wonder why wasn't anyone looking out for this poor child and what it was he wanted.

I think it also speaks to the complexities of are their fates worse than death? And how far would you go to keep your child alive?

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is just a rough draft (and sadly the author passed away before it could be revised) I think that "Was It Worth It?" is a wonderful book that needs to be read by anyone with children, who like medical stories, and who enjoy psychology, or understanding the human mind. This book posses a lot of questions, but allows the reader to answer them for themselves.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two words: read it. Yes, it's a rough draft. Yes, it needs work. David's story deserves to be read and to be known. His thoughts and feelings deserved to be heard, and if they weren't heard during his life, the least we can do is hear them after his death. Props to the author for telling this amazing story.

[Lisa Kvam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this is only available online as a free PDF. Definitely worth the hassle to find it, if you are interested in the story of David, from age 4 until his death at age 12.