MY PARENTS WALKED AWAY FROM ME AT THE HOSPITAL WHEN I WAS 13 — MY MOTHER WENT PALE WHEN THE DEAN CALLED MY NAME

suggesting?” Dr. Patterson asked, disbelief creeping into his voice.

My father stared at me for several long seconds.

“She’s 13. She can be emancipated, become a ward of the state, then she qualifies for full Medicaid coverage, and it doesn’t touch our finances.”

At first, the words didn’t register. I kept waiting for him to smile or tell me he was joking,continue reading …