Gypsy Rose Makes Surprising Announcement

Facebook // Gypsy Rose Blanchard

Gypsy Rose Blanchard captivated global attention with a tragic tale that unfolded as a bizarre twist of fate and manipulation. Born to Dee Dee Blanchard, Gypsy was portrayed as a severely ill child, confined to a wheelchair, and dependent on medical care. However, the truth behind this facade revealed a startling case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, orchestrated by her mother. The ensuing events shed light on the complexities of mental illness, abuse, and the quest for freedom.

Gypsy & Dee Dee’s Beginning

For seven years, Dee Dee and daughter Gypsy Rose Blanchard lived in a small pink house in Springfield, Missouri. Neighbors liked them. One neighbor described Dee Dee as “sweet.” Their story was memorable — Dee Dee was a large, cheerful woman from Louisiana, known for her generosity.

Greene County Sheriff’s Department // Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Dee Dee Blanchard

She didn’t work, dedicating her time to care for Gypsy Rose, her teenage daughter, who was confined to a wheelchair due to numerous health issues.

Gypsy’s Health Issues Started to Appear

Gypsy Rose was small, maybe 5 feet tall. She wore large glasses and looked frail with her pale, thin appearance and deteriorating teeth. She had a feeding tube and sometimes needed an oxygen tank. Dee Dee listed a long series of health problems Gypsy had.

HBODocs // Gypsy Rose Blanchard

They included things like chromosomal defects, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, asthma, sleep apnea, and vision problems. Dee Dee said these issues had been present since Gypsy was a baby.

Gypsy’s Difference Began to Appear

Gypsy’s life was challenging due to her health. Despite being friendly and talkative, she had a high, childlike voice. Dee Dee often reminded others that Gypsy had brain damage and needed homeschooling, as she wouldn’t be able to keep up with other kids.

BLANCHARD FAMILY // Gypsy Rose and Dee Dee Blanchard

She said Gypsy had the mental capacity of a 7-year-old. Gypsy loved dressing up, especially in princess outfits, and often wore wigs — with a curly blonde Cinderella wig being her favorite.

Gypsy & Her Mother Were Once Inseparable

“We are a pair of shoes,” Gypsy once said, indicating her inseparable bond with her mother. Their house, provided by Habitat for Humanity, was equipped with special amenities for Gypsy — like a wheelchair ramp and a Jacuzzi tub.

Springfield News-Leader // Andrew Jensen // News-Leader

Dee Dee often hosted movie nights for neighborhood kids, projecting films on their house’s side. She charged for snacks, saying the money would go towards Gypsy’s medical treatments.