Laura Johnson, the sister of Matthew Johnson, who was once dubbed "Britain's sickest child," has spoken out about the years of deception orchestrated by their mother, Lisa Hayden-Johnson. In a recent interview and documentary, Laura described how her mother fabricated a litany of life-threatening illnesses for her younger brother, leading to years of unnecessary medical treatments and public attention.
Hayden-Johnson was once lauded as a devoted parent, even appearing on television shows with her son and meeting with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. Matthew, who was presented as unable to walk, eat, or breathe unaided, received an award from Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall. However, Laura, who was a child at the time, recognized inconsistencies, noting that Matthew would appear healthy at home but unwell in public.
Doctors, misled by Hayden-Johnson's lies and falsified test results, treated Matthew for years. A two-year police investigation ultimately led to Hayden-Johnson's conviction in January 2010, for which she was jailed for three years on charges of child cruelty and perverting the course of justice. The condition her mother exhibited is now medically referred to as Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII), formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Beyond her brother's ordeal, Laura Johnson, now 27, fears she may have also been a victim of her mother's behavior. Reviewing her own medical records, she questions whether she was subjected to unnecessary treatments for alleged seizures and strong medication. She also learned that her mother's claim of a twin who died in utero was false.
Laura and Matthew, now 25, are still coming to terms with their past. Their attempts to reconcile with their mother after her release from prison in 2011 reportedly led to further distress. The siblings shared their story in a three-part Channel 4 documentary, "Love You To Death," which also featured their estranged mother. In the documentary, Hayden-Johnson, who was partially obscured, maintained her innocence, calling her guilty plea her "biggest mistake."
Matthew's suffering involved numerous invasive surgeries and general anesthetics. His mother went as far as spiking his urine samples with glucose to support false claims of diabetes. The deception was lucrative, with Hayden-Johnson reportedly receiving over £130,000 in disability living allowance and gifts. Laura recalled carrying her brother's oxygen tanks, realizing years later that none of it was necessary.
Hayden-Johnson's elaborate deception began to unravel in 2007 when doctors, suspicious of Matthew's condition, proposed a three-day hospital monitoring of his blood sugar. Hayden-Johnson failed to attend the appointment, claiming a sexual assault and faking injuries. Under police questioning, she confessed to fabricating the story. A search of their home revealed extensive medical equipment and evidence of tampered test samples, alongside photos and videos of Matthew engaging in normal childhood activities.
After their mother's imprisonment, Laura and Matthew moved with their father. Matthew described this as a turning point that allowed him to thrive. Laura, however, struggled with bullying at her new school and her mother's lack of acknowledgment of wrongdoing in prison letters. Following Hayden-Johnson's release, supervised visits began, and Laura, then 16, moved in with her. Initially, it seemed positive, with her mother providing support and advice. However, within six months, Hayden-Johnson began fabricating her own health problems, including nerve damage and a regression disorder, leading Laura to care for her as if she were a patient.
Eventually, Laura moved out, describing it as seeing "what a normal family is." Her mother's alleged ailments then disappeared. Three years ago, Laura cut ties with her mother via text message, stating she could not forgive her for the harm caused to both her and Matthew. Hayden-Johnson, who remarried and lives under a new name, continues to deny FII and claims she "did my best."
Laura believes her mother should have received psychiatric help during her sentence, as the underlying issues were not addressed. Neighbors and former landlords have described Hayden-Johnson's post-release behavior as disruptive and hostile, noting her frequent moves.
Despite the trauma, Laura expresses a desire for her mother to receive help and accept her problem to prevent further harm to others.