1 Disability in History Sherrie Brown LSJ/CHID 434 Winter 2008

2 Topics Early Historical Interpretation of Physical/Mental Differences Experience of Disabled Persons in Nazi Germany Rise of Institutions in USA

3 One Approach How does history describe/explain/handle variations of the human condition? How are differences distinguished—i.e., what difference rises to level of disability? How is the difference explained? What value is placed on that difference? How is that difference treated/handled?* *Framework described by University of Maine disability studies scholars on line at

4 Ancient Greece Distinguish: Deformed infant Blind, Deaf, “Lame” Mental Illness What value is placed on that difference? Not human Immoral Well respected Explain the Difference? None Caused by gods for sinful acts War injury Supernatural How is that difference treated/handled? Left to die Ostracized Given special care and pension Participated in community life

5 Medieval Period (dominance of Catholic Church in West) Distinguish: Behaved, comm. differently Atypical appearance/activity Cognitively different (MR) What value is placed on that difference? Evil or demonic Divine Explain the Difference? Spiritual Sent to teach charity/tolerance Spiritual How is that difference treated/handled? Persecuted Cared for by clergy Participated in community

6 Enlightenment (scientific reasoning) Distinguish: Failure to thrive at birth Atypical activity/appearance Atypical behavior (MI) What value is placed on that difference? Not Human Part of human nature Unworthy Explain the Difference? None Injury, aging or illness Biological How is that difference treated/handled? No care No explanations for most but medical explanations for those who could afford MD Institution

7 Victorian Period (idea of normal) Distinguish: Atypical behavior (cognitively impaired, MI or socially deviant) Deviant Inability to earn What value is placed on that difference? Unworthy Reprehensible Explain the Difference? Poor or immoral Race, ethnicity, gender Immoral How is that difference treated/handled? Harsh institutional care Ostracized, institutionalized

8 Early 20 th Century (industrial revolution) Distinguish: Physically/cognitively different What value is placed on that difference? Less than human Well respected Explain the Difference? Bad genes War injuries/industrial accidents How is that difference treated/handled? Harsh institutional care/eugenics Financial/medical support— rehabilitation

9 Nazi Germany Distinguish: Physically/cognitively different (birth through lifespan) Physically/cognitively different What value is placed on that difference? Less than human; worthless “eater” or nonproductive Well respected Explain the Difference? Bad genes War injuries/industrial accidents How is that difference treated/handled? Genocide/medical experimentation Financial/medical support— rehabilitation

10 Rise of Institutions in USA First institution devoted exclusively to mental disabilities established in Mental disorders considered “problem of containment, not treatment.” Decades before Civil War characterized by belief that institutions could cure “lunatics” and train “idiots.” States assume responsibilities for asylums and enacted civil commitment laws to authorize institutionalization.

11 Asylums become Institutions No cure found for most individuals and asylums full of people labeled incurable. They became more custodial—goal was to 1) keep society safe from unpredictable violence and 2) quarantine people who could spread the madness. Dumping grounds for social undesirables—many prostitutes, immigrants, poor, incorrigible wives, etc. Institutionalization and forced sterilization became the policy after Buck v. Bell Supreme Court decision in 1927.

12 Willowbrook State School State supported institution for children with mental retardation on Staten Island, NYC. Plans developed in 1938, construction completed in 1942 but run as army hospital until In mid 1970s, home to 5,000 individuals documentary expose by Geraldo Rivera on ABC TV, NY affiliate.

13 NY State Association for Retarded Children v. Carey ( consent decree 1975) People with mental retardation have a constitutional right to protection from harm. Willowbrook forbidden from implementing seclusion, corporal punishment, medical experimentation and routine use of restraints. Settlement mandates individual plans for education, therapy, care and development of each child. Established a Consumer Advisory Committee of parents, community leaders, residents (current and former) to monitor.

14 Discussion… How are Coastal Center and Willowbrook different? How are they similar? “The nondisabled world sees powerlessness as the natural product of dependence and dependence as the natural product of our needs.” What is the government’s responsibility—if any—for individuals like Harriet McBryde Johnson or Bernard Carabello?