Handout 17
Sally's story
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Sally lived in the suburbs with her family. She had an older sister Louise who, when she started school, was found to be clever and beautiful. Sally had a brother, Tom, two years younger than she, who was a handful for his mother. Sally was never any trouble.
When Sally went to school, she did not find the lessons quite as easy as her sister.
Sally was a child sandwiched between two very noisy, strong-willed siblings. In Sally's early teens, her mother became sick and was hospitalised frequently. Sally took care of her younger brother, often cooked the family meals and did most of the housework. Louise did not help much as she had a new boyfriend and was always going out. Sally's father was busy and had little time for the family and no time to help. Sally took on the extra work without question or complaint. Tom began to go out with his friends and spent less time with Sally.
Sally spent a lot of time in the kitchen and enjoyed experimenting with cooking foreign food. While she took care of everyone else she daydreamed.
Sally left school at 18, and looked for work. Louise was then at university and Tom was getting extra help with his studies. Sally found a job that she didn't like much but it covered her living expenses and enabled her to buy a car when she turned 20. She continued living at home and taking care of the family.
Then she was invited to a 21st birthday party and a new chapter in her life unfolded. She met a young man called Gerry. He was drinking quite a bit and on his way out he fell down the steps and needed to go to the hospital. Sally was one of the few sober people left and she volunteered to drive him to the casualty department.They later began to go out together and became engaged six months later. Gerry thought sally would be the perfect wife and mother and they looked forward to having children.
Gerry was very ambitious and worked long hours. Sally continued to work and waited patiently at night for Gerry to come home, making sure there was always a hot meal for him to come home to. Babies did not come, and Sally discovered she was infertile. The couple were devastated. They began to have arguments over petty things and Gerry began to stay at work even longer. They spent little time together. Finally Gerry had an affair and the couple decided to split up.