Hidden Valley Road

Imagine growing up in a family of twelve children, where half of your older brothers gradually drift into a mental reality few can reach. This is the world into which the youngest Galvin sisters were born. They watched their once-buzzing household turn tense, as sons who excelled at sports or music unravelled in bouts of psychosis and confusion.

This introduction sets the stage: a sprawling family in Colorado, parents with high ambitions, and a series of strange, unexplainable outbursts and breakdowns. At the heart of it lies a mystery: Why did so many of the Galvin boys suffer the same harrowing mental decline? Could it be their upbringing, some inherited gene, or something more elusive?

Their mother, known for her fierce dedication, tries to keep the family afloat while juggling daily crises. But denial, confusion, and a lack of solid medical answers mean that real solutions remain just out of reach. As you delve into their story, you’ll learn how ordinary people grappled with extraordinary circumstances in an era when the very definition of schizophrenia was in flux.

Don and Mimi, the parents, were brimming with optimism when they settled into the foothills near Colorado Springs. The allure of nature, a blossoming career, and their passion for culture gave them a sense of limitless possibilities. Over two decades, they brought twelve children into a world shaped by discipline, Catholic traditions, and a love of falcons.

Sports, music, and the father’s unique work training falcons at the Air Force Academy kept everyone busy. Yet beneath the surface, small cracks appeared. Moody outbursts from some older boys and the father’s frequent absences set the stage for deeper struggles that would arise later.

The mother’s pride grew with each new baby. This was her life’s endeavor—an ever-expanding brood reflecting her devotion. But as energy shifted from creative pursuit to constant caretaking, the seeds of overwhelm took root. She had no idea what lay ahead, especially with her eldest sons’ increasingly puzzling behavior.

This was still a time when mental illness was poorly understood. Even subtle signs were often dismissed as teenage angst or sibling rivalry. In hindsight, these were early warnings that something more serious—and more tragic—was unfolding.