Social worker Iris Sayer finds herself confronted with the toughest case of her career after a period of self-imposed retirement. At the behest of her friend Hank Decker, she visits Karen Holmes. Karen, believed by her mother Constance to be mentally ill, has been kept at home in isolation for 16 years. Taking Karen's rehabilitation as a personal challenge, Iris brings the young woman into her home to nurture her back to health. Though emotionally scarred from her years of isolation, Karen is responsive to Iris. The close relationship that developes between Iris and Karen upsets Constance and she fights to regain custody of Karen. As Iris and Karen work together for Karen's independence, they gain worlds of knowledge about each other, as well as themselves. While Karen must learn to live on her own, Iris must make peace with her own past and embrace life once again. Inspired by actual events.