Donny Ray and His Family

The Rainmaker

Donny Ray’s illness draws out the different ways his parents and twin brother respond to impending loss and the possibility of treatment.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Life at Home A Life at Home from "The Rainmaker". A Quiet Son Unequal Paths Donny Ray stays close to his parents, works briefly, and prefers books and model airplanes.

A Life at Home from "The Rainmaker". A Quiet Son Unequal Paths Donny Ray stays close to his parents, works briefly, and prefers books and model airplanes.

A Quiet Son Unequal Paths Donny Ray stays close to his parents, works briefly, and prefers books and model airplanes. His twin Ronny Ray leaves home and builds a separate life. Family Dependence Donny Ray’s limited work history leaves him dependent on the household. That dependence later becomes an argument the insurer uses to question coverage rather than a reason to protect him.

The Diagnosis The Diagnosis from "The Rainmaker". Acute Leukemia Treatment Begins Dr. Walter Kord diagnoses Donny Ray with acute leukemia and begins chemotherapy.

The Diagnosis from "The Rainmaker". Acute Leukemia Treatment Begins Dr. Walter Kord diagnoses Donny Ray with acute leukemia and begins chemotherapy.

Acute Leukemia Treatment Begins Dr. Walter Kord diagnoses Donny Ray with acute leukemia and begins chemotherapy. His parents believe the insurance policy will cover the care their son needs. A Possible Match Tests show that Ron Black is an ideal bone marrow donor. The transplant offers a meaningful chance of survival, making the insurer’s refusal consequential beyond its financial amount.

Treatment Denied Treatment Denied from "The Rainmaker". A Narrowing Window Financial Barrier Great Benefit refuses to pay, while the hospital cannot provide an expensive transplant without funds.

Treatment Denied from "The Rainmaker". A Narrowing Window Financial Barrier Great Benefit refuses to pay, while the hospital cannot provide an expensive transplant without funds.

A Narrowing Window Financial Barrier Great Benefit refuses to pay, while the hospital cannot provide an expensive transplant without funds. Dot writes letters and searches for help, but cannot raise enough money. A Family Under Strain Buddy withdraws into his old car and alcohol, while Dot takes charge of the practical fight. Their different responses leave Donny Ray between a grieving mother and an increasingly absent father.

A Day Outside A Day Outside from "The Rainmaker". A Brief Return to the World A Trip from Home Rudy takes Donny Ray to watch a softball game and later spends time with him in Miss Birdie’s garden.

A Day Outside from "The Rainmaker". A Brief Return to the World A Trip from Home Rudy takes Donny Ray to watch a softball game and later spends time with him in Miss Birdie’s garden.

A Brief Return to the World A Trip from Home Rudy takes Donny Ray to watch a softball game and later spends time with him in Miss Birdie’s garden. For a while, illness does not define every conversation. Ordinary Pleasure Donny Ray watches the game, eats popcorn, and enjoys being outside. These ordinary moments give Rudy a personal memory that later anchors his grief and his determination to expose the insurer.

A Death and a Burial A Death and a Burial from "The Rainmaker". Loss Before Judgment The End at Home Dot finds that Donny Ray has died in his sleep.

Loss Before Judgment The End at Home Dot finds that Donny Ray has died in his sleep. Rudy visits the family and remains with them as neighbors bring food and mourn. A Lasting Record At the funeral, Rudy serves as a pallbearer. Donny Ray cannot receive the transplant or see the trial, but his recorded testimony will carry his voice into court.

before the leukemia diagnosis

August 1991

the months after the first chemotherapy

after Rudy passes the bar exam

the Sunday before the delayed depositions