Andrea Gunning

And before his breakdown, he was a constant source of conversation and laughter.

But that version of their father feels like a distant memory.

Because after his breakdown... He was just a very fragile and mentally ill person.

Sometimes.

There were times when their dad seemed stable.

But then he'd enter a period where he'd lose touch with reality.

He would be hospitalized.

Saskia was just a baby when her dad got sick.

For her whole childhood, he was on disability and in and out of the hospital.

Her mom had to focus on managing her husband's care and keeping the family afloat financially.

As the youngest of four, Saskia was often forgotten.

Home didn't feel like home.

a place that I was even really wanted.

I don't think I got a hug from either of my parents.

And I don't think I got an I love you from my mom until I started giving them out when I was in college as well.

I definitely wish I had a closer relationship with my parents at a younger age.

I think it would have fared me well to have felt like I was important.

But my friends gave me that.

She and her friends spent a lot of time unsupervised.

Here's Saskia's friend Megan again.