Part Two: Outwards and Downward: Ups and Downs, Hope Against Hope, Taking the Cure: Chapters 26 - 31 Summary

The Friedman family spends nearly all their time researching new treatments for Tourette's Syndrome or driving across the country visiting new doctors and hospitals. All the doctors use some level of Risperdal as a way of treating Cory's tics. With each increase of the drug, his tics become wilder and more unpredictable. He develops crippling anxiety and vertigo, yet doctors continually order an increased dosage. When Cory is up to six Risperdal pills a day (six times the usual dosage), his parents say enough is enough. Even though it is dangerous to take patients off Risperdal, the Friedmans decide the risks are worth the reward. Slowly, they wean him off the drug and...