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Anna is a 13-year-old girl who was conceived specifically to act as an allogeneic donor for her older sister. She has undergone numerous blood and bone marrow extractions since infancy. Her constant medical interventions leave her feeling unseen as an individual. She possesses a quiet maturity and decides to sue her parents for the rights to her own body.
Sister of Kate Fitzgerald
Daughter of Sara Fitzgerald
Daughter of Brian Fitzgerald
Sister of Jesse Fitzgerald
Client of Campbell Alexander
Ward of Julia Romano
Date of Kyle McFee
Sara is a former trial lawyer who abandoned her career to care for her children. She operates with absolute determination to keep her middle child alive. This single-minded focus causes her to disregard the physical pain and emotional needs of her other children. She reacts with intense anger when served with her youngest daughter's lawsuit.
Wife of Brian Fitzgerald
Mother of Kate Fitzgerald
Mother of Anna Fitzgerald
Mother of Jesse Fitzgerald
Sister of Zanne
Client of Dr. Harrison Chance
Client of Dr. Beata Neaux
Served by Vern Stackhouse
Brian works as a firefighter and paramedic. He often rescues strangers but feels entirely powerless to cure his own daughter's illness. He spends his free time as an amateur astronomer on the firehouse roof. He recognizes the unfair expectations placed on his youngest child and occasionally attempts to provide her with a safe space away from his wife.
Husband of Sara Fitzgerald
Father of Kate Fitzgerald
Father of Anna Fitzgerald
Father of Jesse Fitzgerald
Campbell is a witty, intelligent attorney who accepts a highly unusual medical emancipation case. He comes from a wealthy background but maintains a distant relationship with his demanding parents. He constantly invents outrageous lies to explain the presence of his service dog. He guards his privacy closely and uses sarcasm as a defense mechanism.
Lawyer for Anna Fitzgerald
Former Boyfriend of Julia Romano
Owner of Judge
Employer of Kerri
Interviewer of Dr. Peter Bergen
Kate is a 15-year-old girl who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia at age two. Her illness dictates every aspect of her family's schedule and emotional state. She relies entirely on her younger sister for life-saving physical donations. She feels profound guilt about the immense burden her disease places on her healthy siblings.
Sister of Anna Fitzgerald
Daughter of Sara Fitzgerald
Daughter of Brian Fitzgerald
Sister of Jesse Fitzgerald
Romantic Interest of Taylor
Patient of Dr. Harrison Chance
Jesse is the 18-year-old eldest child of the family. He grew up feeling entirely invisible because his parents focused exclusively on his sick sister. He channels his frustration and guilt into destructive behaviors like setting fires in empty buildings. He pretends to be tough and unbothered but deeply cares about his younger sisters.
Son of Sara Fitzgerald
Son of Brian Fitzgerald
Brother of Anna Fitzgerald
Brother of Kate Fitzgerald
Acquaintance of Duracell Dan
Julia is a court-appointed guardian ad litem tasked with determining what is best for a minor seeking medical emancipation. She has a sharp, observant eye and quickly recognizes the unhealthy dynamics inside the family home. Her professional duties become complicated by her unresolved past with the opposing counsel.
Guardian ad litem for Anna Fitzgerald
Former Girlfriend of Campbell Alexander
Judge DeSalvo presides over the medical emancipation hearing. He demonstrates kindness and patience when speaking directly to young witnesses in his chambers. He maintains strict control over his courtroom and insists on appointing proper advocates to protect vulnerable children from manipulation.
Judge for Anna Fitzgerald
Judge for Sara Fitzgerald
Dr. Chance serves as the primary oncologist handling a difficult pediatric cancer case. He frequently recommends aggressive chemotherapy treatments, blood transfusions, and bone marrow transplants to keep his patient alive. He operates strictly from a medical perspective and focuses entirely on extending life.
Doctor for Kate Fitzgerald
Doctor for Sara Fitzgerald
Zanne is an aunt who occasionally steps in to manage childcare when hospital emergencies consume her sister's time. She tries to offer financial assistance and emotional support during high-stress periods, recognizing her sister's extreme exhaustion.
Sister of Sara Fitzgerald
Aunt of Jesse Fitzgerald
Taylor is a 16-year-old cancer patient undergoing his own severe medical treatments. He forms a quick and deeply understanding bond with a girl who shares his frightening reality and physical limitations.
Romantic Interest of Kate Fitzgerald
Judge is a highly trained service dog who accompanies his owner everywhere, including the courtroom. He frequently alerts his owner to invisible physical changes, though his owner constantly invents bizarre stories to explain his presence to strangers.
Service Dog of Campbell Alexander
Dr. Bergen is a psychiatrist who sits on a hospital ethics committee. He testifies in court regarding the boundaries of medical interventions involving minors and whether the hospital properly reviewed specific donation requests.
Interviewee of Campbell Alexander
Duracell Dan is a homeless man living in the local community. He agrees to hold onto dangerous items for a troubled teenager in exchange for basic necessities.
Acquaintance of Jesse Fitzgerald
Vern is the local sheriff tasked with serving official court papers to county residents. His arrival at the hospital severely disrupts a family's delicate medical routine.
Process Server for Sara Fitzgerald
Kyle is a teenage boy who asks a classmate out on a typical adolescent date. Their physical interaction leaves his date highly confused about normal teenage experiences outside the hospital environment.
Date of Anna Fitzgerald
Dr. Neaux is a child psychiatrist called to testify about the psychological impact of specific medical decisions. She offers a professional opinion on family trauma and the mental weight placed on siblings.
Witness for Sara Fitzgerald
Kerri is a legal secretary who manages the daily appointments, phone calls, and communications for a private attorney.
Employee of Campbell Alexander