Chapter 7 - Daniel’s Notes
Daniel kept a spreadsheet.
That sounds sinister.
It was not inherently.
Parents often track behavior when working with therapists.
The problem was the wording.
Date.
Event.
Trigger.
Outcome.
I obtained it later through formal discovery.
Entry:
March 4 — Lily returned from Sylvester. Hit Vanessa during bedtime.
What actually happened?
Lily was overtired.
Vanessa tried removing her stuffed rabbit.
Lily swung one arm and made contact.
Not good behavior.
Also not a calculated assault.
Another:
March 18 — Extreme tantrum after grandfather visit. Threw food.
Actual event:
Lily pushed away a plate of broccoli and cried.
Another:
April 2 — Property destruction.
A paper cup.
She crushed it.
Another:
April 16 — Attempted elopement.
She ran ten feet toward a playground slide after being told to wait.
The categories made toddler behavior sound clinical and dangerous.
I asked my lawyer:
“Is that fraud?”
“No.”
“Then what is it?”
“Perspective presented as data.”
May you like
That phrase stayed with me.
Numbers feel objective even when the labels inside them are chosen by someone with a goal.
