“lunatic” and had spent the previous ten years in the Columbia County poorhouse in New York.
Let me back up for a moment; Dr. Willard, whom our hospital is named after, was appointed at the time to research the conditions of facilities that cared for the criminally insane. He drafted a questionnaire that he sent to each and every county judge in New York State. The judges then hand-picked respectable medical professionals to carry out inspections of poorhouses, alms houses, insane asylums, and jails. They answered the questionnaire and returned them with their findings directly to Dr. Willard. His research found that in the fifty-five counties there were one thousand, three hundred and fifty-five chronic cases of patients who were deemed insane. Furthermore, the conditions in which these individuals were kept were described as deplorable and unfathomable. These patients were neglected, abused, and mistreated emotionally and physically.
As a result of this study, the Willard Bill, that regulates insane asylums, was put into effect. This is how this hospital came to be and one of the underlying laws was that the criminally insane be treated with better care. We call this moral treatment. I am morally obligated to treat you, Iona, with respect and the utmost care I can deliver.
Now, back to Mary Rote for a moment. When she arrived here, she was deformed and who could blame her for becoming despondent and demented after the treatment she received? She was held, against her will, for ten years. She was held naked, was deprived of food, and was chained to a wall at all times and stood no chance of healing. However, once she arrived here she was taken in and bathed. She was treated with kindness and grace. She was given her dignity back. She was fed, she was shown to a warm bed, and do you know what? She improved markedly.
Why am I telling you about this? Well, Mary Rote was extended an olive branch, and I am extending one to you now. I know you feel uneasy but if you allow us to care for you using the tools that work, then we can discuss getting you home.”
“I am nothing like that woman.”
“We don’t know why she was insane, back then if one was poor they could be called insane and be subject to an almshouse. No, you have a family that loves you and wants to see you improve. Your condition is unusual for an adolescent, but I have seen it once before.”
“My condition, what is my condition, Dr. Macy?”
“I’d rather not get into that today. But, I suggest that you take the olive branch you have been extended. That you agree to meet with me for some intensive therapy and then we can more thoroughly discuss your state.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“If you have another suggestion, I am open to it.”
“I don’t.”
“Well then let’s meet the day after tomorrow. I will give Emily your new schedule of appointments. I also want you to partake in our Occupational Therapy. This is meant to keep you occupied. We offer textiles, sewing, pottery, leather work, basket making, chair caning, and so on. You might enjoy these activities more than you think.”
“Doctor, I am a kid, how many kids do you know that want to cane chairs?”
“Point taken, Iona. Just open yourself to finding something you like, okay? It will help you adjust.”
Emily retrieved me and I mulled over all we had discussed. Mary Rote’s story was pathetic and unjust. I wondered what she did to deserve her foul and humiliating treatment. I was exhausted and somewhat defeated and just wanted to go to bed. My eyes were swollen from all the crying I had done and Emily agreed to fetch me ice to help with the swelling. She tucked me into my bed for the night and I slept like a baby.
Chapter Four
Therapy
I sat rather uncomfortably on the wooden chair in front of Dr. Macy who stared at me before beginning therapy. I didn’t know where to look so I just stared back without blinking. I had an uncanny ability to stare for long periods of
Let me back up for a moment; Dr. Willard, whom our hospital is named after, was appointed at the time to research the conditions of facilities that cared for the criminally insane. He drafted a questionnaire that he sent to each and every county judge in New York State. The judges then hand-picked respectable medical professionals to carry out inspections of poorhouses, alms houses, insane asylums, and jails. They answered the questionnaire and returned them with their findings directly to Dr. Willard. His research found that in the fifty-five counties there were one thousand, three hundred and fifty-five chronic cases of patients who were deemed insane. Furthermore, the conditions in which these individuals were kept were described as deplorable and unfathomable. These patients were neglected, abused, and mistreated emotionally and physically.
As a result of this study, the Willard Bill, that regulates insane asylums, was put into effect. This is how this hospital came to be and one of the underlying laws was that the criminally insane be treated with better care. We call this moral treatment. I am morally obligated to treat you, Iona, with respect and the utmost care I can deliver.
Now, back to Mary Rote for a moment. When she arrived here, she was deformed and who could blame her for becoming despondent and demented after the treatment she received? She was held, against her will, for ten years. She was held naked, was deprived of food, and was chained to a wall at all times and stood no chance of healing. However, once she arrived here she was taken in and bathed. She was treated with kindness and grace. She was given her dignity back. She was fed, she was shown to a warm bed, and do you know what? She improved markedly.
Why am I telling you about this? Well, Mary Rote was extended an olive branch, and I am extending one to you now. I know you feel uneasy but if you allow us to care for you using the tools that work, then we can discuss getting you home.”
“I am nothing like that woman.”
“We don’t know why she was insane, back then if one was poor they could be called insane and be subject to an almshouse. No, you have a family that loves you and wants to see you improve. Your condition is unusual for an adolescent, but I have seen it once before.”
“My condition, what is my condition, Dr. Macy?”
“I’d rather not get into that today. But, I suggest that you take the olive branch you have been extended. That you agree to meet with me for some intensive therapy and then we can more thoroughly discuss your state.”
“Do I have a choice?”
“If you have another suggestion, I am open to it.”
“I don’t.”
“Well then let’s meet the day after tomorrow. I will give Emily your new schedule of appointments. I also want you to partake in our Occupational Therapy. This is meant to keep you occupied. We offer textiles, sewing, pottery, leather work, basket making, chair caning, and so on. You might enjoy these activities more than you think.”
“Doctor, I am a kid, how many kids do you know that want to cane chairs?”
“Point taken, Iona. Just open yourself to finding something you like, okay? It will help you adjust.”
Emily retrieved me and I mulled over all we had discussed. Mary Rote’s story was pathetic and unjust. I wondered what she did to deserve her foul and humiliating treatment. I was exhausted and somewhat defeated and just wanted to go to bed. My eyes were swollen from all the crying I had done and Emily agreed to fetch me ice to help with the swelling. She tucked me into my bed for the night and I slept like a baby.
Chapter Four
Therapy
I sat rather uncomfortably on the wooden chair in front of Dr. Macy who stared at me before beginning therapy. I didn’t know where to look so I just stared back without blinking. I had an uncanny ability to stare for long periods of
Similar Books
