Kate Lister suspected something was wrong when her third child, Barnaby, was born four and a half years ago. When he failed to gain weight, she continued to voice her concerns, but was told she was being neurotic.
'By chance, about six months ago, I read something in my medical notes which suggested I might have Munchausen's syndrome by proxy. When I read that, it made me feel sick.'
Barnaby was nearly ten months old when her suspicions were confirmed - he has cerebral palsy.
Kate's story typifies the lottery in provision. Barnaby has benefited from excellent early years care. He attended a special pre-school, which Kate describes as a 'life saver', and then a mainstream nursery.
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