Pauline is severely physically disabled and confined to a wheelchair. Since she started school, Hanna has been able to work as an actress again, but her role as a mother dominates her life. After Michael suffers a slipped disc, the Kollers move out of their townhouse and into a handicapped-accessible apartment. Hanna maintains contact with similarly affected mothers and occasionally has Veronica Grossmann and her spastic twins as guests. The neighbors feel disturbed by the sight of the disabled children and gather complaints to get rid of the Kollers.

After moving to Munich with her parents Kristin and Bernd, the 16-year-old Amelie has problems adjusting to her new school. Although the family seems to be happy, her parents are too busy themselves to notice how depressed she is - until she tries to commit suicide. Amelie survives, but her disease worsens...