(I was unable to properly embed this video, however if you click on it you can then click on the "full screen" option and it will play, I am such a novice at this stuff)
This is heartbreaking, truly shocking in my opinion. How most families in earlier days were led to believe that these types of institutions were the best place for their children. After watching this video I wept for the Molly's of the world. I am left to wonder what kind of life these children, men and women, might have had if understanding could have been different. I am so sad that these people endured the life that they did. I wonder if they had any laughter, was there any sunshine? Did they see the sun set? Were there candles on their birthday cakes? Did they even have a birthday cake? Were there presents under the tree? Was there education? Did. they. feel. LOVED? The reality is that I doubt any of those things happened for them. In Molly's eyes I see Alyse's strabismus left untreated.
50 years, that is such a small amount of time in the true scope of things.
Alyse does feel loved, of that I am sure.
Awe. My grandmother gave birth to a son who was mentally retarded. I can only imagine the pressure she must of felt to "do what is right for her family" and place him in an institution at an early age. I am honored to know that her same blood flows through my veins. That this feeling of conviction for our children is shared. I feel connected to her especially in this way. I can shut my eyes and experience what she might have felt when she said no to the institution early on and then yes in her later years when she herself was facing her own mortality. How incredibly hard that must of been for her, for her too I weep. For the woman, I will also become when I can no longer care for my youngest daughter.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post Dani, on a very sensitive subject. I have a cousin with Down Syndrome, we grew up together in the late 60's and fortunately thinking had changed a bit by the time Eric was born. But it was a difficult situation for my cousin and her family... I think in retrospect her husband had a tough time excepting that his son wasn't "perfect".
ReplyDeleteWhen Eric was about 7 or 8 his mother did find a wonderful school for him that was local, but was a boarding school. It was tough to have him live away from the family, but honestly because of that school, Eric is now in his 40's living on his own, working, and thriving as a happy, productive man. It's been a blessing to know that when Eric's mother is no longer here physically, Eric will be okay.
For all the mistakes of our past, it's wonderful knowing we have made great strides in caring for each other. Though we are a long way off from having it all figured out, for all the Molly's, Alyse's, and Eric's out there I pray we continue to move in the right direction.
Alyse is so lucky to have you all in her life. And Buck was SO lucky to be born to Grandma and Grandpa. And we are all lucky to have/have had both of them in our lives.
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