Fix Me: A story of munchausen syndrome by proxy

by E.L. George, Erin Lee (Contributor)

Fix Me
By EL George, author of Goodbye Unicorns
“Why can’t you fix me, Mommy? You always do. You’re the only one who fixes me.”
“Hush.”
Hush was the word from my favorite bedtime song. It was the one where Mommy promised to give me the world and never, ever let anyone hurt me. But Mockingbirds did sing. I’d heard them. And I was too young for a diamond ring anyway. All I wanted was for her to fix me … again.
This time was different. This time, Mommy didn’t bring me to the doctors where they’d give me stickers and take my blood. This time, she said I wasn’t sick enough. Mommy looked sad. She wanted me to fix her. I knew there was only one way to do that so I forced out a cough.
She smiled.
“Can you fix me, Mommy?”
“Yes. I’m the only one.”
She pulled out the blue stuff that tasted like the car wash. I wanted to throw up but smiled anyway. Anything to make Mommy happy.
***
Fix Me is the story of a little girl named Josephine who only has one wish:
To be normal like the other kids and not have to repeat another year of school for too many medical absences. But to get there, it will take making her mother—a sufferer of caregiver fabricated syndrome—healthy again. Josephine after all, is the only one who can pull it off – if time doesn’t run out for her first…

140 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2018

Reviews

[Paula Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fix Me is written by one of my favorite authors E.L George and touches on a subject that is close to my heart and reading this book brought up a few memories. We learned about a social worker who meets a family whose children are dying from fabricated situations, and it turns out that the parent and grandparents have Munchenhausen Syndrome. This book is told from the perspective of the social worker as well as a young girl Josephine. Nobody except Josephine's mother and vice versa can fix one another but will it be too late to save this family? This book spurred a lot of emotions as I could see in a way that if my nephews had not been put in care, then there would have been a 50/50 chance that this could have happened to them - not intentionally as she would have seen that she was caring and loved them just too much and needed the attention of others as for the mother - that's what makes them feel important and proves they are doing a great job as they on the outside look loving, caring and nurturing.
If you are on the lookout for an edgy read that will tug at your heartstrings, then Fix Me by E.L George is the read for you.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was overwhelmingly excited to read Fix Me. The premise for this completely fascinated me and I couldn't wait to see where EL George was going to take me with this story.
I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't seem to read fast enough to quench my burning need to know what was going to happen next. The story hooked me and elicited so many emotions from me as I was reading. It was incredible. The information at the end of the book was a great way to conclude as well. This blend of real-life situations and fictional components was both startling and perfect. I cannot wait for the next book from EL George.

[Karen Hartsfield-Voliva · Rating 5 out of 5]

E.L. George did a wonderful job of writing about a very misdiagnosed illness. Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a sad illness where a mother makes her child or children sick for the attention. George gives you several different dialogues from the social worker Maggie Rust, Jennifer Swanzey the mother and Josephine the little girl who thought she could fix her mother. You can feel the pain Maggie goes through trying to keep one little girl from the terrible outcome of her mother's illness. This is an in your face true story that most authors wouldn't touch but in E.L. George style she gives the true story even if it hurts.

[Shelby W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am dizzy after reading Fix Me, what a whirlwind experience. Due to the "shock" that I am in, all my emotions have not had the chance to exhibit themselves. This story is raw and sadly true to life.

I believe this book needs to be in all schools and public libraries.

Not to mention, I admire the E.L. George's real-life event books because there are always resources in the back for those who may need help or assistance, a wonderful idea.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the cover, read the blurb, had to have it as soon as the paperback went live! I was warned this book may make me cry. I have seen movies on this subject once upon a time, so I knew it was going to piss me off. I do flove the author and the true life inspired stories she tells. They get you in heart and make you feel. Also they make you question how this is possible.