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Jasminka Vuković
Author
#MS-We'll get rid of it
Mother and daughter, friends and allies for life. Her nineteen-year-old daughter Mia is studying veterinary medicine when she suddenly finds herself unable to hold the scalpel any longer. The initial diagnosis: quite normal stress symptoms. But three years later, frightening symptoms reappear and an examination in the emergency room brings shocking results to light. The final diagnosis: incurable multiple sclerosis. At first, it seems like the young student can carry on with her life carefree, managing university, social media hashtags, and a trip to London. When she then falls in love with sports student Ben, her happiness seems perfect. Yet... something in this relationship takes a wrong turn. A short time later, Mia's condition deteriorates – also because a super medication shows no effect. Mia becomes a case requiring constant care. How does Ben react? What does the daily life look like for daughter and mother, suddenly navigating a world of wheelchairs, hospital gloom, and catheters? And what if the doctors' prognoses are wrong and there might be a way back after all? Through neuroplasticity, adopting new thought processes, employing simple motivational techniques, harnessing the self-healing powers of our bodies, practicing positive thinking, undergoing physiotherapy, and engaging in imaginary physical exercises. Also, thanks to the placebo effect... A story of unconditional love. Of hope that demands true determination. And of days when happiness is just a heartbeat away.
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 9 out of 10
Overall: 8.75 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Vuković shares her own experience as a caregiver for her daughter, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while attending college, as well as her daughter’s journey as she battles the disease and slogs through the medical system. Regardless of the bleak outlook—and devastating life changes that result from it—neither Vuković nor her daughter, Mia, lose hope.

Prose: Vuković pours her heart onto the page, gifting readers an intimate understanding of the concern she has for her daughter. While the future is unclear, her writing breathes a sense of optimism and determination for the best outcome.

Originality: Writing from the perspective of a patient as well as a caregiver is refreshing, as there is little rest for either one. Vuković allows readers to glimpse deep emotions in both herself and her daughter, rendering their powerlessness and positivity in equal shades.

Character/Execution: Vuković never wavers from her goal: to help her daughter achieve the best life despite her illness. Her fast paced approach radiates a need to find help and get results as quickly as possible, and her ability to contrast the slow moving treatment plan with the speed in which the condition debilitates her daughter will leave readers reeling.

Date Submitted: November 12, 2024

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