Dorothy's
Story
by Dorothy
Anderson
I was born in the Fairbault State Hospital. I left Fairbault when
I was a teenager and then I was moved around from place to place
living in the Minnesota State Hospital system until the age of about
29.
I started working folding
laundry about the age of 16 while I was still in Fairbault. I didn't
earn any money for doing that job. It was just one of my chores.
I also set the table for meals and washed the dishes every day.
I don't remember having anyone that really took care of me -- not
a special person that I could go to. I had to learn things on my
own.
I eventually moved out
of the state hospital system and lived with a family for a few
years until I moved into a group home.I was very scared to leave
the state hospital because it was all I knew. I didn't know what
it was like to be a part of a family. When I was growing up in
the state hospital, I don't remember having any toys to play with.
The clothes I wore I shared with other people.
There were no blankets to keep us warm. It was cold in the dorm that
I shared with many other children. We just had to snuggle up and
try to keep warm with a sheet over us. Some of the kids got bed sores
from laying in their beds all day.
Later on, as a teenager, I was moved into a room that I shared with
3 other girls my age.
We slept on mattresses on the floor without pillows and often slept
in our clothes.
The food we ate was all right but if we didn't finish it they would
just warm it up for the next meal. There was nothing to do but sit and watch TV or sit on the floor
alongside others with nothing to do making the days endless and boring.
When I got to be an adult,
I took care of the babies and cleaned rooms. I earned about $1.00
a day and would spend my money at the canteen for treats or things
that I needed like shampoo, toothpaste or deodorant.
It was nice to get out
of my cottage and go to a job in some other building on the grounds.
At least I got to meet new people and the nurses in the baby ward
were usually very nice to me. I liked feeding the babies the best.
I have come a long way since living in state hospitals.We have all
come a long way since those days.
I'm happy to say that
I work at a job that I love taking care of animals.
I live in a house with 3 other ladies that I have a good time with;
although, that's not always easy. I'd rather just live with 1 other
person. I go out shopping, out to eat and to movies. I have gone
on several vacations to places like Disney World, Nashville, Black
Hills. I've been to a lot of places and have enjoyed traveling and
the opportunity to see the country. I feel that I'm a respected and
valuable member of my community.
Through my People First group, I have participated in several community
service projects and am learning to be an advocate for myself and
others with disabilities. I enjoy my life.
Seeing the new gravestone
markers that have been put in the cemetery made me think of the
years I lived in Fairbault State Hospital. Those were years that
I remember with mixed feelings -- sometimes it was bad and sometimes
it was o.k. I wouldn't want to go back. I wouldn't want anyone
else to have to grow up in a state hospital like I did.
I am glad that the people
who lived and died in Minnesota's State Hospitals will now be remembered
by name and should not be forgotten.
