"Be strong" advice drove me mad — mum of leukemia child on real support

Agata Krasner, whose daughter Zosia was diagnosed with leukemia at age four, says well-meaning advice like "you have to be strong" drove her mad and made her avoid those offering it. What she found most valuable was simply having someone present — no scripts, no universal tips. Her account highlights how damaging generic encouragement can be for parents of seriously ill children.