Being mentally ill in 2021 is not much different than it was in 1992. Same restrictive environment, in fact, Anchor House is much more limiting than Moose Lake State Hospital was in 1992. At Moose Lake, we were free to roam the grounds as long as we were only gone for about an hour, maybe two. Here at Anchor House, I had to set the timer when I went out because I was only given 15 minutes, and I have to stay in the yard like a child.
At Moose Lake we went on outings where everyone that was following the rules got to go. Here, there was a trip to Como Zoo and I was not allowed to go because of some bizarre schedule of rewards they adhere to. Apparently I was only here 4 of the 14 day time period. Never mind it was day 12 for me. Disappointment is an understatement. I felt like I was being punished. My self-esteem suffered. It was demoralizing, which I would think they would want to avoid making us feel that way. We do that so fucking well all by ourselves, we don't need staff's help for that.
Then there is the fact that nothing has been done really to accommodate me as a hearing impaired person. Talk about feeling devalued. Today is day 16 and they have yet to formally accommodate me. I have had to vigorously advocate for myself, asking people to please lower their mask when they speak and to speak loudly. It really sucks to stand out in every damn group because I can't hear anything unless I advocate for myself repeatedly. It is soul crushing to ask people to speak louder, more clearly and to remove their masks so that I can lip read. SMH. End of rant.
