Nancy and Susan Grundy are the subjects of Mad Sisters, a memoir written by Susan, which chronicles the siblings’ relationship from the 1960s through to the COVID-19 pandemic. When Nancy was 13, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. A diagnosis that has since been updated to schizoaffective bipolar disorder.
Susan says the relationship has changed dramatically over the years.
“When we were kids, it was very cold and distant. We were very different. She was the good child. I was the naughty child,” she said.
“When she fell ill at 13, we had no relationship because she was absent. She was in the hospital and she returned a zombie sister.”
As Nancy adjusted to her medication, Susan says their childhood roles reversed.
“I became the good one and she was the bad and we had an adversarial relationship. I, I all of a sudden could snitch on her.”
Later on, their parents moved to Europe, and Nancy spent 13 years in a locked ward in a Montreal psychiatric hospital. During this period, Susan began to take on more of an advocacy role for her sister. When Nancy was released, Susan was in charge of her living situation, which led to a power struggle, but Susan says the situation has since improved.
“We have this loving caring relationship now that’s probably better than before she fell ill at 13.”
Susan Grundy joined people first radio to share part of her story, including perspectives on the evolution of stigma, care giving versus saving, and institutionalization.
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