“Without sugarcoating Susan Grundy recounts the emotional rollercoaster of caring for her older sister after the teen is diagnosed with schizophrenia Beautifully written ltIgtMad SistersltIgt breaks your heart only to lift it moments later as Grundys actions reveal the havoc caused by a serious mental disorder the horrific toll it takes and a sisters unyielding and abiding love An indispensable book for those of us who love someone with a mental illness ltbgt ltIgtNew York TimesltIgt bestselling author Pete Earley whose book ltIgtCRAZY A Fathers Search Through Americas Mental Health MadnessltIgt was a finalist for the Pulitzer PrizeltbgtltbrgtltBRgt ltIgtMad SistersltIgt is a raw and honest memoir that bravely confronts and unpacks complex family dynamics traumatic experiences and the unbreakable bond between siblings Its an emotional rollercoaster of a read and well worth the ride ltbgtMark Henick Principal amp CEO of Mental Health Media author of ltIgtSoCalled Normal A Memoir of Family Depression and ResilienceltIgt and international keynote speaker on mental health recoveryltbgtltbrgtltBRgtWith ltIgtMad SistersltIgt Susan Grundy gives a moving testimony to love sisterhood and sticktoitiveness conveying her sister Nancys lifelong struggles including an endless stream of hospitalizations and psych drugs and all their many harms with a raw insightful honesty that brings both of them vividly to life Their relationship is complex and their story isnt easy but the bond between them is tangible and inspiring The result is a powerful ode to human resilience ltbgt Amy Biancolli author and former family editor for Mad in America an organization with the mission to serve as a catalyst for rethinking psychiatric care ltbgtltbrgtltBRgtIn the gripping and heartwrenching memoir ltIgtMad SistersltIgt author Susan Grundy weaves a powerful story of two sisters bound by love torn by despair and obligation and tested by the unyielding hardships of mental illness I laughed I cried Sisters Nancy and Susan are inseparable their bond a forcefield of hope through the blackest times As Nancy grapples with the volatility of her inner demons Susan stands steadfastly by her side their relationship a testament to unbreakable familial love despite fear rage and the powerlessness of never being enough while confronting the symptoms of schizophrenia Laced with humour and a dogged need to stay connected as sisters the book delves deep into the nearimpossible daily struggles family members face revealing the devastating lifetime impact of Nancys condition on all their lives ltbrgtWith raw honesty Susan Grundy exposes the gaping holes in the medical system and the often catastrophic imperfections of medications that promise stability but deliver inconsistency Their journey is one of resilience navigating a labyrinth of hope and hopelessness understanding and misunderstanding ltIgtMad SistersltIgt is a poignant exploration of the human spirit an unflinching look at the realities of mental illness and a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of sisterhood This compelling narrative will leave readers reflecting on the importance of compassion and the need for systemic change ltbgtSusan Doherty author of the awardwinning ltIgtThe Ghost GardenltIgt and ltIgtMonday Rent BoyltIgt ltbgtltbrgtltBRgtI finished reading Susan Grundys memoir with tears in my eyes Lifelong responsibilities to support her ill sister mostly as her primary caregiver have not compromised her unswerving commitment and unabated compassion despite sometimes feeling frustration resentment and sometimes hate Mental illness can be difficult to forgive when behaviour towards your closest caregivers becomes inexcusably harsh yet she remains her sisters mainstay through stormy and turbulent times ltbrgtSusans memoir oscillating between past and present opens a window into a life marked by the pain and travails evoked by mental illness Growing up in a volatile household she became the good girl though she vacillated between the desire for freedom from responsibilities and the guilt she knew that would bringltbrgtBeing a young carer without recognizing it Susan was subjected to the inevitable impact of mental illness that ravaged her sisters life starting at thirteen Taking on her sisters physical ailments as if they were her own and bearing the associated stresses Susan became her ultimate protector accepting her lot with uncanny generosity ltbrgtWhile Susan does not often lash out at the healthcare system there is an implicit message that needs to be heard mental illness is a family affair an imperfect fragmented healthcare system victimizes not only the diagnosed member but their entire entourage ltbgtElla Amir CM PhD MBA Executive Director AMIQubec Allies in Mental HealthltbgtltbrgtltBRgt An insightful account of the challenges faced when caring for a sibling with a mental health condition ltbgtMichael ShannCarers UKltbgtltbrgtltBRgtSusan Grundys older sister saved her from drowning in childhood forging an unbreakable bond between them Now as they navigate middle age Susan feels an unyielding duty to reciprocate With their parents unable or unavailable to support a daughter with chronic mental illness Susan takes on the mantle of Nancys protector and advocate She battles a mental health system fraught with gaps and ineffective sometimes dangerous treatments She struggles with personal questions that haunt her day and night Where do her responsibilities begin and end Is she fostering dependence or nurturing the independence they both crave ltbrgtThis poignant finely drawn narrative alternates between vivid childhood memories and the sisters tumultuous adult lives The author captures the full spectrum of their emotions jealousy and gratitude grief and joy exasperation and acceptance resentment and reconciliation Seemingly insurmountable dilemmas dissolve into laughter under Susans relentless prodding and Nancys sharp wit By the books end youll want to envelop them both in a heartfelt embrace Susan Grundys memoir is an important contribution to awareness and understanding of the impact of chronic mental illness on siblings ltbgtDeborah Kasdan author of ltIgtRoll Back the World A Sisters MemoirltIgt cited as one of the 100 best Indie books of 2023 by ltIgtKirkus ReviewsltIgt ltbgtltbrgtltBRgtSusan Grundys tender memoir tells of her decades long struggle to love and care for her older sister Nancy diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 13 who can be in turn infuriating heartbreaking and endearing Full of stories told with empathy both for Nancy and for herself this is a family saga you wont want to put down ltbgtVikki Stark author of ltIgtMy Sister My Self The Surprising Ways that Being an Older Younger Middle or Twin Shaped Your LifeltIgt ltbgtltbrgt”