Family Running head: Family Assessment

My Sister’s Keeper
Assessment of the Fitzgerald Family

SBSN 360P Professor D. Hoitt, MSN, RN
21 March 2013

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to provide a selective assessment of the functional status of the Fitzgerald family. This premise of this assessment is to define areas of strength and or weakness is the family system. Due to the limited amount of contact with its members, this evaluation is not to be viewed as a comprehensive and exhaustive list of findings for this social unit. This is merely a limited overview of the family’s ability to cope and grow in spite of the chronic condition of promyelocytic leukemia in the eldest daughter.

Identifying Data “My Sister’s Keeper” film adaptation revolves around the Fitzgerald family. Sickness causes the Fitzgerald family to stray from the traditional nuclear family model and become and extended family. The extended family includes at least one parent, at least one child, and at least one other non- parent/sibling member. (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2009)The story chronicles the events surrounding the life of Kate Fitzgerald, who is suffering from promyelocytic lymphoma. The story is told mainly from the perspective of Kate’s eleven year old sister, Anna Fitzgerald, who was genetically engineered for spare parts. We also get brief glimpses at the perspectives of her parents, Brian and Sara Fitzgerald. Very little time is spent portraying her brother, Jesse, or Kelly, her aunt that also lives with them.

Culture and Religion
The Fitzgerald family portrays many of the classic characteristics of upper middle class suburban living. They live in a large suburban home. The evidence can be seen during the back yard scenes when they are blowing bubbles and playing on the trampoline, as well as when the two girls were there discussing Kate’s desire