The term "chronic illness" subsumes a multitude of conditions and complaints, all of varying development. It is often impossible to establish a prognosis and only seldom is causal therapy available. A chronic illness or handicap must be seen as fate, not only for the affected child but also for his or her family. Both require concerned and competent support towards mastering their situation in a justifiably realistic way. A highly developed network must be available to families of chronically ill children to help them prevent and overcome crisis. The organization of this network requires much planning and effort. In many families with chronically ill or handicapped children the ability to develop and to make decisions can only be regained when the hopelessness and helplessness involved in having a severely chronically ill child has been recognized and accepted by all concerned.