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Disability in History

Sherrie BrownLSJ/CHID 434Winter 2007

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Topics Early Historical Interpretation of

Physical/Mental Differences Experience of Disabled Persons in

Nazi Germany Rise of Institutions in USA

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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” or otherwise be considered negatively?

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 http://www.ccids.umaine.edu/hrsaltc/history

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Ancient Greece Distinguish:

Deformed infant Blind, Deaf, “Lame” Blind, Deaf, “Lame” Mental Illness

What value is placed on that difference?

Not human Immoral Well respected 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

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Medieval Period Distinguish:

Behaved, comm. differently Atypical

appearance/activity Cognitively different (MR)

What value is placed on that difference?

Evil or demonic 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

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Enlightenment 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

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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 Unworthy Reprehensible

Explain the Difference? Poor or immoral

Race, ethnicity, gender Immoral

How is that difference treated/handled?

Harsh institutional care Ostracized, institutionalized Ostracized, institutionalized

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Early 20th Century Distinguish:

Physically/cognitively different

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

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Nazi Germany Distinguish:

Physically/cognitively different

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?

Genocide/medical experimentation

Financial/medical support—rehabilitation

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Rise of Institutions in USA First institution devoted exclusively to

mental disabilities established in 1773. 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.

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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.

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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 1947.

In mid 1970s, home to 5,000 individuals. 1972 documentary expose by Geraldo

Rivera on ABC TV, NY affiliate.

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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.

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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?