My mother made me ill for years until a doctor unmasked her

Nina Blom's early years were plagued by mysterious, serious illnesses. Growing up in the Netherlands in the 1970s and 80s, Nina seemed at first to be a typical child, playing with dolls and enjoying singing and dancing. But soon, her mother became convinced that Nina was gravely ill. She kept sending Nina to hospitals for tests and treatments again and again - 16 times in just a few years. And she seemed to enjoy Nina's sickness and pain. Eventually, Nina was made to use a wheelchair and was told by her mother that she had an unstoppable muscle disease.

Please be aware that there are descriptions of medical child abuse in this programme.

Many medical professionals saw Nina but they could not work out what was wrong with her. It took one keen-eyed doctor to put the puzzling pieces of Nina’s life together and figure out the true, dark reason for her illness.

Paediatric Condition Falsification is also known by other names, such as 'Fabricated or Induced Illness' or 'Munchausen-by-Proxy'. It is a form of child abuse in which the carer - usually a parent - exaggerates or deliberately causes an illness of a child. The reasons why Paediatric Condition Falsification happens are not fully understood.

Nina published her experiences in a book called You are a Horrible Child. They also inspired a graphic novel for young people, You’re Going to Die, by Margreet de Heer and Nina.

Presenter: India Rakusen

Producer: Radek Boschetty

Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected.

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