A Fighting Choice 1986
Directed by
Ferdinand Fairfax
Made by
A Fighting Choice Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for A Fighting Choice (1986). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Kellin Taylor, a 16-year-old with epilepsy, has not had a seizure in five months and is visiting the nation’s most praised doctor. Because of his two-weekly visits to Dr. Tobin, he has been neglecting schoolwork, leaving his parents, Thad Taylor and Meg Taylor, disappointed that Kellin’s progress toward a normal high school life has slipped away from them.
To help his grades, he is assigned a tutor, Susie Fratelli, whom he immediately falls in love with. Susie Fratelli becomes a steady presence in his life, and, despite his shy nature, she takes an interest in him as well, inviting him to jog with her the next morning. All these changes coincide with a setback: Kellin experiences another epileptic seizure at night. The following day, Susie is initially upset that he didn’t show up for their jog, until Kellin shares the truth about his epilepsy. She isn’t scared off, and their bond grows even stronger.
Dr. Tobin grows worried about Kellin’s seizures, realizing that the drugs may no longer control them. He informs Kellin’s father, Thad Taylor, that an experimental brain surgery could be the only viable option, but Thad fears its risks and resists it. Kellin learns of the possibility through a letter and frets that his parents kept this from him. Unlike his parents, Kellin leans toward the operation and pursues it, even as his parents’ approval remains unresolved. He even contemplates suing for independence so he can decide for himself about the operation.
When Thad and Meg discover they are being sued, they seek expert advice. The professionals explain that while the operation could stop the seizures, other seizures might still occur. Meanwhile, Kellin is advised by his attorney Virginia Hagan to move out of the family home during the trial. The ensuing legal battle and media attention strain the family, leading Kellin to move in with Virginia, even as he feels guilty about the impact on his younger brother Harvey. The case forces Thad to transfer jobs, and Harvey feels neglected by his parents. Kellin’s doubts about surgery intensify as he endures his first seizure in Susie’s presence.
At the trial, Virginia calls Eli Rhodes, a former epileptic patient who underwent the surgery successfully. Kellin finds renewed motivation from Rhodes’s story and resolves to continue with the operation. As the trial nears its end, Kellin and Susie grow closer and share a kiss, adding a personal dimension to the proceedings. Judge Rosenstiel ultimately grants consent for the operation. Although Thad and Meg feel a sense of disappointment about the process, they set aside their quarrel with Kellin and pledge to support him through the upcoming surgery. The operation itself is challenging and lasts five hours, but it ends successfully. Kellin awakens surrounded by his family and his girlfriend, marking a new chapter in his life.
A Fighting Choice Timeline
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Doctor visit and assessment
Kellin Taylor, a 16-year-old with epilepsy, visits the nation’s most praised doctor after months of seizures. The doctor assesses his condition and considers the next steps, noting Kellin had not had a seizure in five months. The visit frames a cautious optimism about managing his illness.
School workload suffers
Because Kellin's medical visits are frequent, his schoolwork falls behind and his parents express disappointment. They had hoped he could return to a regular high school soon. The tension over academics pushes Kellin toward additional help.
Tutor assigned; budding romance
Susie Fratelli is assigned as Kellin's tutor to help raise his grades, and he immediately develops feelings for her. Susie responds with kindness and interest, despite his shy demeanor. The tutoring arrangement seeds a close personal bond.
A jog invitation and a seizure
Susie invites Kellin to jog with her the next morning, signaling a return to normal teenage routines. He agrees, though anxiety about his condition lingers. That night, Kellin suffers another epileptic seizure.
Susie’s support deepens their bond
Susie isn’t frightened by his condition and stands by him, helping their relationship grow stronger. Their closeness gives Kellin emotional support as he faces tough medical choices. This bond becomes a counterpoint to the medical struggle.
Surgery proposed by doctors
Dr. Tobin cautions that current drugs may no longer control the seizures and outlines experimental brain surgery as a possible option. Kellin’s father Thad opposes the procedure due to perceived risks. The medical and parental views diverge, setting the stage for a contested decision.
Kellin learns of the option and asserts autonomy
Kellin discovers the surgical option via a letter and becomes angry that his parents kept him in the dark. He asserts his desire to decide for himself, even considering legal independence. The seeds of a legal battle are planted as he pursues control over his treatment.
Experts weigh in on the risks
Thad and Meg seek expert advice to understand the surgery's risks and benefits, learning that it could stop seizures but might not prevent others entirely. The family weighs uncertain outcomes as they navigate the path forward. Kellin’s resolve to pursue treatment strengthens despite the caveats.
Move-out advised during trial
Attorney Virginia Hagan advises Kellin to move out of the family home during the trial to protect his interests. The move strains family life and brings media attention into the courtroom drama. Kellin also grapples with guilt over the impact on his younger brother Harvey.
Kellin moves in with his attorney
Following the legal strategy, Kellin moves in with Virginia Hagan, separating him from his parents during the proceedings. The living arrangement heightens tension at home but focuses attention on the case. The stake of the trial becomes more personal for Kellin.
Expert testimony and a new spark with Susie
In court, Virginia calls Eli Rhodes, a former epileptic patient who underwent surgery successfully, providing a tangible success story. Kellin feels inspired to continue toward the operation. During the final stages of the trial, he also becomes intimate with Susie for the first time.
Consent granted and family supports the choice
Judge Rosenstiel decides to grant consent for the operation, acknowledging Kellin's right to decide his medical future. Thad and Meg, though disappointed, vow to support him through the upcoming surgery. The family begins to realign around Kellin's decision.
Surgery and recovery
The brain surgery lasts five hours and concludes successfully. Kellin wakes in the hospital surrounded by his family and Susie, signaling a hopeful new chapter after years of uncertainty. The successful outcome marks the start of a new life post-surgery.
A Fighting Choice Characters
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Kellin Taylor (Patrick Dempsey)
A 16-year-old with epilepsy who navigates adolescence, love, and the fear of seizures. His illness drives much of the plot, but his determination and kindness push him toward seeking independence and control over his medical fate. He is shy but introspective, and his relationships with Susie and his family become catalysts for growth.
Thad Taylor
Kellin's father, protective and pragmatic, torn between safeguarding his son's future and allowing him autonomy. The family pressure and career changes reflect the broader strain of the medical crisis. He ultimately supports Kellin, even after initial resistance.
Virginia Hagen
The attorney who guides Kellin through the legal battle for independence, advocating for his consent and placement of the move-out arrangement during the trial. Her involvement reframes the conflict as a matter of rights and responsibility.
Susie Fratelli
Kellin's tutor and love interest who accepts his condition without fear and helps him navigate social life. She invites him to jog, shares his joy and fears, and becomes a symbol of trust and companionship in his challenging journey.
Dr. Tobin
The highly regarded physician whose treatment plan dominates Kellin's medical decisions. He voices concerns about the effectiveness of current medications and introduces the possibility of brain surgery, balancing hope with caution.
Meg Taylor
Kellin's mother whose anxiety and love for her family shape the reaction to the crisis. She wrestles with protecting her children while supporting Kellin's autonomy, and the trial tests her willingness to adapt.
A Fighting Choice Settings
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Location
Kellin's Home, Dr. Tobin's Clinic, Courtroom, Tutoring Center
The film moves between Kellin's family home, where daily life is strained by medical decisions; the doctor's clinic and hospital where seizures are discussed and surgery is proposed; and the courtroom where Kellin asserts his right to decide his medical future. Tutoring sessions also appear as Kellin tries to balance school with his illness and the new relationship with Susie. The settings together showcase the pull between family, medicine, and personal growth.
A Fighting Choice Themes
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Autonomy
Kellin's drive for independence is at the center of the story. The legal fight to decide his own medical treatment pits his wishes against his parents' concerns. He seeks control over his future, even as the surrounding drama tests his resolve. The narrative frames autonomy as both a personal right and a family challenge.
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Family Dynamics
The crisis strains the family structure, exposing unresolved tensions between protection and freedom. Thad and Meg wrestle with fear and responsibility while Kellin pushes for a say in his life. Susie’s influence shifts the household dynamics as love intersects with illness. The support system shifts as trust is tested and rebuilt.
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Medical Ethics
The possibility of experimental brain surgery prompts debates about risk, consent, and the boundaries of medical intervention. Doctors weigh potential seizure control against new uncertainties and possible side effects. Kellin's choice becomes a test of informed consent, patient autonomy, and the responsibility of guardians. The story frames medical decisions as deeply personal, not merely clinical.
A Fighting Choice Spoiler-Free Summary
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In the quiet suburbs of a modern American town, a bright sixteen‑year‑old named Kellin Taylor lives under the shadow of a relentless medical condition. His epilepsy, once held at bay by medication, has begun to assert itself again, pulling him between the ordinary demands of high school and the increasingly invasive world of specialist care. The film’s tone balances the intimacy of adolescent life with the cold precision of hospital corridors, creating a mood that feels both personal and urgent.
Kellin’s daily routine is punctuated by visits to the nation’s most respected neurologist, Dr. Tobin, whose expertise offers a glimmer of hope but also the prospect of experimental intervention. The relationship between patient and physician is portrayed with a measured tension, hinting at the ethical complexities that surface when cutting‑edge medicine collides with family wishes. As the possibility of a high‑risk “split‑brain” surgery looms, the narrative foregrounds the clash between scientific optimism and parental apprehension.
At home, Thad Taylor and Meg Taylor wrestle with the idea of authorizing such a drastic procedure for their son. Their protective instincts are tested against Kellin’s growing desire for autonomy, setting up a heartfelt family dynamic that explores love, fear, and the limits of parental control. Adding another layer, Kellin begins to form a tentative bond with his tutor, Susie Fratelli, whose presence introduces the gentle, awkward stirrings of teenage affection amidst the looming medical decisions.
The story expands further when Kellin considers taking legal action to secure his own medical future, bringing an attorney named Virginia Hagan into the mix. This move underscores the broader theme of a young person grappling with the right to decide his own fate, while the surrounding community and media begin to watch the family’s private struggle unfold. The film stays poised between the quiet resilience of everyday life and the dramatic stakes of a high‑stakes medical debate, inviting viewers to wonder how far one will go for a chance at a normal future.
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