I Tricked My Daughter

Confessions of a parent of a child with chronic medical needs

Emily (photo by Amy Daniels)

I deceived my daughter. I did it on a regular basis, time and time again. I meant no harm, in fact, just the opposite — I wanted to spare her anxiety.

Emily had, what eventually, over time, seemed like a phobia of having medical procedures. She would immediately say no and furrow her brows when I…