This story broke my heart like it did to so many others. So much injustice and pain was inflicted on the Kowalski family and the people responsible should be ashamed. I really hope Jack, Maya and Kyle will get through this and find closure and happiness.
This story broke my heart... How can anyone be that inhumane to make families suffer in the worst possible way?! That system is rotten, people involved in the system are soulless and I hope that every family that suffered because of it, find peace and justice.
As a CRPS II sufferer of over 13 years now I could tell within the first few minutes this is what Maya was suffering from. Unfortunately it is very often misdiagnosed and completely misunderstood by so called medical ‘professionals’.
My heart breaks for Maya & her family. As an adult this disease is excruciating and a very hard journey to navigate. Children should NEVER have to experience this condition. Her Mother was a protective warrior advocate! Things should never be this hard. This documentary is a sad but very real insight into a rare complex disease & condition and how sufferers & families are treated, dismissed & often worse, not just in the US, but around the world!
May this much needed documentary shed light on this condition & others and may this family find some justice. This family will forever be in my families hearts & thoughts going forward. We believe you Maya.
Grateful I was aware of this heartbreaking story AFTER seeing their winning day in court. Still it WRECKED me.
Insane. I hope those SOB’s pay for what they did to this poor family.
A must see if you are a parent especially one in the Tampa Bay area. This story is truly shocking, and is an issue rarely touched on. People in positions of power are not immune bias. When child welfare is concerned parents have no power or rights. I hope the family finally has their day in court later this year.
I can't believe Maya’s lawyer did not investigate Dr. Sally Marie Smith past. She is probably living life on a big fat pension.
This monster should rot in a cell.
https://www.blackenterprise.com/petition-circulating-to-fire-dr-sally-smith-for-her-history-of-facilitating-medical-kidnapping-of-children/
https://www.scarymommy.com/sally-smith-florida-syesha-mercado
This is so completely messed up. I was nearly at tears watching this documentary. This poor family, the poor mother, the poor father and of course the daughter. This is so horrible.
Rated a Connor 10, normal 9
A good documentary that I knew nothing about! This is an easy one to feel a connection to and I’m sure many people will appreciate watching!
Rating: 3/5 - 75% - Worth Watching
Heartbreaking, honest, devastating & eye opening.
SPOILERS: do not read unless you know the full story already.
I’m heartbroken for the entire family.
I feel the frustration & devastation every single mother would feel in those moments when your baby is hurting and they need you.
The raw honesty that is delivered by Maya (and her supporters, and her family- the other victims in this specific case). This young lady handles herself with poise & grace after the trauma the hospital & the authorities put her through. Her parents were good people. You can see it and hear it by the way she & her brother Kyle carry themselves.
My eyes are open. The his documentary will help so many families. It might not mend, repair, or replace, but my hope for them is to be able to say… “I never hurt my baby. You didn’t listen to us. You abused your power.”
Side note: Kyle… he is not a little side note. Remember, he loved his sister. Loved every night hearing her pain. She was taken away from her parents AND her brother. HIS family was destroyed too… he still had to go to school each day. He was there when they discovered his mother’s lifeless body. When the judge, the attorneys for that corrupt hospital, and that witch of a woman who decided it was abuse broke her with that last hug, he has suffered just as much as his sister & father.
I had a thought (as I’m sure many others did)… she wasn’t broken… she was pushed with great force to do the only thing she could to protect her daughter, get her out, and get her PROPER treatment. She knew if she was gone, Maya would be released. She knew her husband would get her proper care & do his best. She knew if she stayed, Maya would be left to suffer in isolation in that hospital until she died in severe pain. That doctor wrote her the letter with his opinion… I think the letter was nearly the final blow… the hug sealed it. She gave her life to end her daughters painful suffering.
She also began lifelong emotional suffering for her son, her husband, and her son in those same moments.
I’ve always said suicide is absolutely a mental health issue (and at times selfish)… this unique case stands out. Would I give my life to stop my child’s endless pain & false imprisonment? Yes. I would. I’d exhaust every option and take the final one. I’d do anything for my child. ANYTHING.
That hospital & every other one like it should be shut down until proper training and certifications are in place.
If I could speak to Maya, I’d tell her that her mother loved her so much she did what she felt was her only choice, her last I love you & goodbye was the terrible, horrible, sad act she committed that day. It was desperation to protect her from being abused any further by those people. I’d tell Maya she’s a good soul. She’s strong, but doesn’t have to be all the time. I hope Maya finds joy and happiness in life.
I wish the same for her dad and brother.
I also hope for justice. Not only
For them, but sir the wrongly accused. The dismissed and unheard. The children ripped away. The innocent parents in jail for decades. This was one the hardest documentaries I’ve ever pushed to get through… and I’m Jewish & I’ve watched holocaust documentaries.
This documentary what’s up buddy do you need mommy should be shown to everyone before they take a job where the weight of their decision rips families apart
Shout by Sopherian van EttingerVIP OG 12BlockedParent2023-06-19T19:29:43Z
This is such a heartbreaking story... The healthcare system failed this beautiful family, they completely destroyed them.
This story is unforgettable, it's so haunting. Wow... It left me absolutely speechless...