1. Louise reflects that many medics and carers involved in her daughter’s life think she’s ‘nuts’ and Eliza acknowledges that people often refer to her mother as ‘superwoman’.How do Louise’s drive and determination make you feel about her?
2. Patience’s chapters are written in the first person, while Eliza, Louise and Pete’s perspectives are written in the third person. How did the use of the first person perspective affect how you felt about her character?
3. Eliza feels like she has to try to be the perfect daughter. To what extent do you think this view reflects reality? Could this ambition actually be entirely of her own making?
4. Pete believes he has been a terrible father to both of his girls. Is this true?
5. Patience’s Best Interests panel decides to give the go-ahead for the gene therapy trial, despite their concerns. Would you have made the same decision?
6. Now that you’ve spent some time in Patience’s head, how do you think society can better support and integrate people with disabilities into communities?
7. Despite being unable to talk to each other, Patience and Eliza still have a very strong bond. How do you think Patience’s disability affects their relationship?