Hal.

By Maxine Jasmin-Green

Tue, 24 Sep 2013
  • 1427 reads
4 comments
 

I was SO afraid.

 

 

 

 

 

Hal

I was visiting my Auntie and she told me she was going to visit some people she had been visiting she wanted me to come with her, and as I was staying with her for the week I went along. It was far from her home. I was 14 years old, and this happened a long time ago. It was a care home but I hadn’t realized that till I was there. Two people stand out.

 

My Auntie introduced me to Sylvia. I was shocked. I have never in my life seen anyone who looked like this; she had suffered a very, very bad stroke! And all of the one side of her face had completely fallen! Her eye, blood red, where it had fallen down her face and half her mouth and lots of dribble, constantly. She looked like a monster yet her mind was unchanged.

 

Auntie made me shake each person’s hand. I don’t know why, I don’t remember any of the others except the first person, Sylvia and the last person. I was scared to death, for I could not believe my eyes as I saw Hal coming towards me, he had the biggest head I had ever seen, I wanted to run away! He had the thinnest neck. He greeted me warmly. After about an hour we left.

 

My Auntie then suggests we go for a nice meal!!!! I told her, “I didn’t want to go for a meal I wanted to go home and have a bath!!” What a strange thing to say! But that was exactly how I felt. And she said, “That was how she felt when she first went to the home.” So I said, “Well you know how I feel” she replied, “I do.” We did go for a meal; I didn’t enjoy it like I would usually.

 

Over the years I have thought about Sylvia and Hal I don’t think they are still alive live now, and I know they had to live in the Home for one, it’s a nice home and they were well looked after there and two, the home protects them for staring eyes and cruel things the general public would say.                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificate PG
Story
All true events.....
Biography

Comments

Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on

A vivid and well-written tale. Auntie tells the girl exactly what she is doing and why. And yes Hal would haunt her.

I remember when I was about 14 doing voluntary work through my school in a care home for children with disabilities. I found my own way there. There was a girl my age who was (when I was younger we said 'backwards') she was listening again and again to the Rolf Harris single Two Little Boys and when the trumpet came on at the end she would do it with gestures. I only went once.

The reason I never went back was in those days hiding people away  was what happened.And there was no explanation to clear my fear into the air.       Elsie

Submitted by Maxine Jasmin-Green on

Hi thank you for your comments. I feel silly today, about how I felt when I was 14 but nothing like what I saw in that home was on the TV or anywhere, so people so unwell or disfigured were not seen, indeed they were hidden, but also to be fair to them, their Life would have been unbareable too if they were out and about and they didn't have learning disibilities, so they would have heard and seen what people were saying about them. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi TKMAX, as humans,  it's sometimes hard for us to accept people who look different,  or suffer in some way,  but I think you put over well your acceptance of these two lovely people who were beautiful inside.  Thank you for sharing your story.  Jenny.

 

Submitted by Maxine Jasmin-Green on

Hi thank you for your comments. I think what I've learnt over the years not just with myself but with most people is that when you get to know someone who is different be it colour or religion or the indivudial that  it breaks down barriers, and the other person is seen a "OK."

 

I remember a couple who lived opposite me when I was at school, they shared one lawn at the front of their garden. He didn't like the man who lived next door because he was a different colour to him, his wife got with the man. So when he mowed his lawn he never onced did the other man's lawn so the front garden always looked unfinished with half been done and other other half left. 

 

His Daughter married a man who was the same colour as his 'horrible neighbour' and after his grand kids were born the man slowly changed and then he would mow both lawns for he saw he wasnt so diferent to him and he was then nice and friendly to his quiet neighbour. The neighbour hadn't changed but the married man did.

 

It's the same with disability .......when you get to know the person, then then is nothing to fear.