Slings and Arrows by Julie Elizabeth Powell

Slings and Arrows is a powerful book which tells the true story of the author’s struggle with grief and guilt and despair after her beautiful two year old daughter suffers brain damage due to a heart problem. Julie Elizabeth Powell takes the reader on an intimate journey with the kind of honesty that makes you feel like you are present in the story.  Julie’s book would be a powerful case study for those going into the medical profession who think they might be working with severely disabled children and their families.

Julie’s story reminds me of a case here in Canada. Tracy Latimer was also a child who suffered brain damaged and whose body became distorted as a result. Tracy needed surgery to deal to deal with some of the distortion. After surgery the doctors sent her home for her family to care for without any pain medication which they said Tracy could not take. Robert and Laura Latimer took turns staying up all night to turn their daughter in an effort to ease her pain. At one point they placed her in a care facility and watched as she lost weight and suffered from painful bed sores. Tracy was clearly not getting the care she needed so they took her back home and carried on.

Laura was pregnant when they were told that Tracy would need more surgery and again would not be able to take any medication to relieve her pain. Robert Latimer spent almost eight years in prison for ending Tracy’s life through carbon monoxide poisoning. He placed her in a running vehicle where she quietly died. Robert Latimer could have been out of prison sooner if he had been willing to admit to doing the wrong thing. 

In Slings and Arrows Samantha is placed in a wonderful caring facility which is adequately staffed to meet her needs. Julie knows this is the best place for her daughter, but still feels guilty about turning her child over for strangers to look after. She also finds herself asking if Samantha would be better off dead.