BEV: The Invisible Sister

by Rory Janis Miller

Bev was an intellectually disabled little girl born at a time when such children were hidden away, many of them in state-run facilities constructed to house people that conventional society considered defective. At the age of nine she was sent to one of the worst such institutions in the United States - Pennhurst State School and Hospital. In those chaotic wards and day rooms Bev lost not only her childhood, but also her dream of going home. While she languished at Pennhurst, her family struggled with overwhelming personal conflicts that tore them apart and pushed Bev further away from them. Her brother and sisters barely knew her and rarely saw her. Finally, after spending thirty two years in Pennhurst, she became part of a historic class action lawsuit that released her into the community to begin a new life and reconnect with the family she left behind. Her story is one of lost hope, a second chance, and the harrowing journey in between.

Genres: Memoir

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2016

Reviews

[Lycoris Sheppard · Rating 1 out of 5]

A potentially good book let down by repetitive "waffle"

This book had the potential to be a very informative yet moving read, chartering the authors' sisters' journey and life. However, it is let down by the authors repetitiveness in describing situations that are often the same story or scenario retold but in a slightly different way. I also found the authors "obsession" with her sisters size and weight to be unnecessary and cruel. It wasn't mentioned out of concern for health it just seemed a way to put Beverley down. I also found the book contradictory with regards to the authors parents. The Father was an abusive, unfaithful alcoholic who apparently "loved" his wife and hoped to return to the marriage, whereas the mother is painted as this cruel, cold, hard hearted witch who abandoned her husband for a boyfriend and caused the family nothing but pain. The rest of the book is filled with far too much "Me" and "I" and seems more like a way to massage the authors sense of self-importance. As for Pennhurst, yes, this institution was an appalling way to treat the mentally and physically handicapped and my heart truly goes out to all the patients, but the blame should be focused more on the families who put their handicapped relatives "out of sight out of mind" in these institutions knowing full well the conditions and treatment therein.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading this book I forms myself struggle with so many different emotions. Like the author I have a sibling who is intellectually challenged and I can’t imagine my life without him. Thankfully by the time he was born the institutional approach had ended. It breaks my heart the Bev and her family were so badly mistreated by ignorance. Still I know that professionals still have a long way to go to provide true family centered services.
My thanks to the author and her family for sharing their life experiences and for their enduring strength.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a remarkable story that gives a clear picture of an extremely disturbing but ultimately encouraging family struggle with mental illness through decades of changes in our society's attitudes towards and treatment of people with mental health issues.

[Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitive boring. Seriously question the IQ of the author.