The goal for Maine School of the Feeble-Minded was to
educate those who were cognitively and mentally impaired. Researchers in Europe
had found that these patients could be educated and were not as useless as they
though. The school wanted to teach patients the basics such as English and math,
while giving them social skills that will help them thrive in the community. In
1907 the State of Maine passed legislation that patients could only be between
the ages of 3 and 21 to attend and live at the institution. In 1912 the State of Maine removed residents
off the Malaga Islands off of Phippsburg. These individuals were then placed
into the school and taken away from their home. The state was so determined to
create the “Vacationland” they even ripped up 45 graves on the island and moved
them to New Glouster Cemetery. The state did not keep the age requirements, and
many residents were older and ended up dying in the school.
There is a book called Voices of Pineland were some
patients, or other individuals share their experience with Pineland. Many
patients shared the same stories of feeling hopeless like they would not escape
the school, and they knew probably die. Many of these stories are from
residents of Malaga Island who were forced out of their homes and had the same
experiences. The experiences of these clients seemed to change dramatically
over time due to more residents and burnt out staff. The staff seemed to get
more aggressive and unhappy over time; clients started to have more severe
mental health problems. As time went on
the school grew more prominent and began to run out resources such as money,
space, employees. By 1939 there were a
total of seven thousand patients, 200 employees, and fifty-one buildings. The number of people who died at the school
is unknown due to the fact some of the graves are from Malaga Island. Around 1975 a lawsuit was brought upon the
school for cruel and unethical punishment to their students. The lawsuit found
the school had been mistreating the patients and the school later closed in
1996. At first, I would have wanted to have treatment at Pineland when their
philosophy was to educate and help them enter the community. The philosophy changed, and I would not like
to have been a patient there around the late 90s.
https://www.mainememory.net/sitebuilder/site/301/slideshow/307/display?format=list&prev_object_id=567&prev_object=page&slide_num=1
Victoria, Thank you for your post. This facility does not sound like a "vacationland", it sounds awful. I am glad to read that the residence got together and wrote the book, Voices of Pineland. It is very brave of them to share their experience. Some people are afraid of stigma. In the movie I posted, one patient said that he wanted to share his story so that people would know of the mistreatment. The man actually went back to the institution and gave the viewer a tour. Writing about their experience or participating in a movie is a great way to keep the thoughts alive. There was a quote in the "Lost in Laconia" movie that I think applies to this, "As the rise and fall of Laconia State School fades into the archives, it is up to the people to never have anyone "Lost in Laconia" again or any where else in the World ever again as the thoughts and memories fade of those who experienced it." By writing Voices in Pineland, the patients captured the history so hopefully we will not forget.
ReplyDeleteBecky, I loved hearing your thoughts! I enjoyed viewing your video and I love to see when patients come together to advocate for themselves.
DeleteVictoria,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting about Pineland. I am sure that many people living in Maine have no idea that this facility existed, and was closed relatively recently in 1996. I used to work at an agency here in Maine that serves folks with varying mental health and developmental needs, including a supported living facility. Several of the residents there were former residents at Pineland, and it was clear that they had experienced trauma from their lives there. One resident in particular needed to have lights on in his home 24/7, and had to have bathroom doors removed due to trauma experienced in a similar setting during his childhood at Pineland. It's really devastating what a lasting impact the facility and the horrific treatment there has had on the community even years after closure.
Brenna, Many people have no idea about Pineland or how the people were treated. Maine is known as the "vacationland" and many people want to cover up the past even through it is crucial to our history.
DeleteVictoria,
ReplyDeleteAs I read through your blog post, I was excited to see a piece of Maine history. Initially, I was happy to hear that in the early 1900's, Maine was advancing its way by recognizing the need to education everyone. As I continued to read your post, I noticed a shift in your views, and I had to concur with those. It is heartbreaking the way overcrowding can damage such good intentions.
I often wonder if the foundation of Pineland could have been the early beginnings of special education and/or the recognition of individual education plans.
Ashley Williams
DeleteAshley, Pineland is a very interesting place to learn about it is truly a hidden gem in our state. I do believe the school had good intentions but due to overcrowding it declined. Thanks for your post!
DeleteI work with many consumers in my job who were patients at Pineland, as well as co-workers. It's eye-opening to hear about the experiences of the patients and staff there. For example, we now know how to release from a bite without hurting the consumer or ourselves. Staff at Pineland solved the biting problem by pulling out the patient's teeth. Thank goodness a lot has changed.
ReplyDeleteLibby, It most be so eye opening to hear these patients stories! I am so glad we have changed our philosophies in mental health profession.
DeleteIt’s amazing that history is so short. Staff and clients still remember, but the public doesn’t know the details. I’m amazed at those who work with the occurrence of being bitten. That must not be easy. Pulling out teeth? That sounds like a terrible way to deal with the behavior.
ReplyDeleteI always find it so interesting to hear the techniques mental health professional use to use before the advancements of talk therapy and other theories. I am glad we have changed our philosophies in the mental health field.
Delete