A staff view and a patient view

This is stuck in my head. The only way to be rid of it is to write about it.

A couple of weeks ago I ran into a former staff of the hospital, at a grocery store. We chatted about the hospital. I want to examine what she feels about the hospital now and what I saw then and see now.

She started off saying that it's like a country club. All the patients needs are taking care of. Therefore they don't do or need to do anything. She said it isn't like the old days where patients could roam the grounds. There wasn't a fenced in area.

Here's my view of then.

The first unit I was on, there were fenced in porches. They had these huge orange plastic chairs. On weekends that's how we got fresh air. The building was drafty and the decor was less than appealing. They rounded us up like cattle. We had to line up for meds, meals or whatever. There was no carpet on the floors. The dorms were crowded. The food was horrendous. We were able to get schooling. There was no group therapy.

When I got admitted to an adult ward, we were allowed two smokes on the half hour. That was the only thing to look forward to.The showers were awful. I remember one time they had such an overflow that patients slept on beds in the hallway. You were given ground privileges for "good" behaviour. There was alot of abuse by staff back then. They didn't care. It was just a job for most of them. There were some good staff that cared.

Okay now. The last time I spoke there it was hot in the "day"room. There was carpet on the floors. The windows were new. The paint is cheerful. There were several paintings on the walls. The chairs are comfortable. It is very well lit.

They have classes and guest speakers. The groups are held on an different floor. Their main goal is to give the patients tools to use when they get out.

In my opinion the "new" style they have is far better than it was the last time I was there as a patient.

Whose view is right? Is it a country club? Are the patients pampered? Is there hope they will get out?

The only question I can answer is that yes there is hope.

They do have alot more ammentities.

I wrote about this before. I'm sorry. But it doesn't feel right to blame the patients. Looking at how they reacted to my speech, is appalling. 10 FELL asleep! Including 1 staff!!

There's alot of confusing thoughts whirling about my head. I have been able to "witness" both sides of the locked doors.

Where do I stand? I stand with the patients. They need it alot more than the staff.

Live, love, laugh, learn, listen,

David