Who is Irene from Genie: A Scientific Tragedy and what is their importance?

Irene was the child of poor parents who moved to California to attempt to change their fortunes. As a young adult, Irene met and married a man more than twenty years her senior. This marriage was happy the first few years despite the interference of her mother-in-law. However, Irene suffered from a neurological disorder that together with cataracts caused her to go blind and become completely dependent on her husband. About this same time, her husband isolated himself from the world, dragging his wife and children with him. Irene lived for more than a decade as a prisoner to her husband's control, allowing the systematic abuse of both her children, especially her youngest child, Genie. Eventually, after a particularly violent episode, Irene convinces her husband to allow her to leave the home with Genie. A short time later, Irene goes in search of help from the state for her blindness and a social worker notices Genie. Genie is then placed in the hospital and in the care of multiple scientists.