2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Kim attends her mother’s hearing and was able to unmask her pretty handily. What did she see that the panel and Lily couldn’t? Is that the last hearing for Patty?

I don't know how Kim knew that her mother was still delusional, but she was right. It makes me wonder if there are many mentally ill patients who can fake their way through an interview like that.

I don't think Patty will come up in front of the board again for several years.

As I mentioned in another discussion question I thought this was quite unbelievable. Kim hadn't been in contact with her mother for 28 years. She still sees the situation like the six year old girl she was . A team of health professionals working with her mother for all those years would have known that still was suffering from schizophrenia and Kim's being able to trigger an episode and making them seem incompetent just wasn't realistic. I think mental health patients being able to fool their doctors only happens in the movies.

I found it plausible simply because Patty had never faced the objects of her delusions, her children. It didn’t take much for Kim to bring it out. She was used to Patty being really good at hiding her crazy and knew how to trigger her.

You’d be surprised how many mentally unstable patients are released into the community in the US. They’re mostly our homeless population...the result of some really misguided public policy decisions.

If Patty hadn’t shown any violent tendencies in 28 years, they were letting her go. This was just the first time she’d agreed to a parole hearing. Otherwise, they would have released her years before.

I found it plausible. Some mental health professionals like to show their successes more than the impact a release is on the general public. While Kim didn't see Patty, she did keep in contact with Lily over the years. Kim knew Patty's triggers. She hated Mikey and Kim suspected that she still did then she used it.

Jonetta, I don't think Patty was non-violent for 28 years. I thought she had episodes before each of the previous hearings to protect Kim from dealing with her release. I need to look that up.

I just guessed as they were willing to release her. It’s hard to believe she hasn’t developed other delusions.

I agree with all of you, but I wonder why Patty was suddenly able to control herself prior to this hearing when she has never been able to before. She obviously still hates her children, so why would letters from Kim suggesting reconciliation have made any difference to her? And do we know specifically what was in those letters? Lily talked about the general tone, but they didn't ever turn over the letters to Kim, or did I miss that?

No, I don’t think you missed that, Lynn. I don’t remember much detail being given, other than what Alex disclosed. And who knows what she really said.

I have the impression that she didn't hate her children only Mickey. There was something about him that sets her off. I think it has something to do with her Schizophrenia. She turned against Kim because she tried to protect her brother.