The movie “Shawshank Redemption” tells the story of two long-term convicts and their respective battles for identity, dignity, respect and personal freedom. Faced with a life-sentence, one uses his training and talent to maintain his individuality and to live as a “free” man, at least in his mind, not letting prison enslave him. This modeling affects the second man who is then able to move from feelings of fatalistic despair to those of hope and a future. In the end, both gain their freedom.

This theme could also describe many people who are currently long-term patients of state mental hospitals. Despite an image of shuttered hospital doors and de-institutionalized patients after the 1970s, state hospitals still account for the care and treatment of more than 30,000 people. Many of them are buried in a deep sense of hopelessness, which is compounded by neglect from having been forgotten.

Yet, with help, interest, and inspiration, they might gain hope, look to the future and plan for their post-hospital life. With this in mind, a pilot project involved members from Fountain House going out to Manhattan Psychiatric Center (MPC) for two hours every Tuesday evening to meet long–term hospitalized inpatients for the purpose of discussing future post-hospital plans.

As George put it one Tuesday evening at MPC — reminiscent of “Shawshank Redemption”:  If it was not for Fountain House, I, too, would be at MPC, with doctors ready to throw away the key for life. Remember, dare to dream. I’m here to say that if I can make it in life, you can, too. Don’t let your past stand in the way of you having a better future for yourself.

I got to know Michael N. at MPC during our Tuesday evening visits. As we talked about Fountain House and his plans after discharge, he became more and more intrigued about the future. One Tuesday we discussed the importance of discovering hope for someone locked away in a state hospital, and at my request he submitted the following for publication in the weekly issue of Fountain House Today:

On the Inside Looking Out

Once a week, representatives from Fountain House (come) to Manhattan Psychiatric Center on Wards Island. I am a patient here at MPC and I have been meeting with (them) for 6 months now. I became enthusiastic about becoming a member of Fountain House, basically because I have something in common with the Fountain House perspective, which is people with mental illness can and do live happy lives even with such an issue.

On the other hand, I am impressed with the idea that there is a place where I can start a new life after hospitalization…. Indeed, I consider myself lucky to be a candidate for membership in Fountain House.

Chris summed up the process of discovering what could be possible:  After hearing about the years that some had been there [MPC], I began to think that I would never be discharged. One way the time went quickly was looking forward to Tuesday night meetings…with Fountain House staff and members. Learning about Fountain House was new to me. I was attracted to what Fountain House had to offer in terms of housing, employment and education. While at MPC, I filed an application and was accepted. Soon after, I was discharged.

Joe described the importance of getting away from the hospital in the following way:  I first came to Fountain House in April of 1982 when I was a patient at Bronx Psychiatric Center, and at the time, I was just glad to get out of the hospital for the day, to just come some place to get away from the ward. And I came to Fountain House for a few months, making that long walk off the grounds of Bronx State, taking the subway in and taking the subway back, and taking the long walk back in every night.

Michael D. was much involved in the program we had at the High Point Farm Project in northwest New Jersey, where among other activities visiting colleagues from clubhouse programs elsewhere would spend a few days as part of their training experience. Interesting discussions ensued on these occasions and following one such weekend series of discussions, Michael sent me the following letter:

Much Ado about Something and Someone

Dear Teacher,

A while ago on a colleague weekend at High Point – at one o’clock in the morning – you said that there is no life after death.

Since that time that thought keeps popping into my mind. And so, this letter.

Do you consider yourself an atheist?
Can a person believe in God and not believe in life after death?
Did you always think – better, believe – that way?
If not, what made you change your mind?

Whenever anyone asks me “What is a good Christian?”, I tell them to hang around with a good Jew, a good Moslem, a good atheist, a good agnostic, whatever!

If there is no life after death, why can’t I try to get away with as much as I can? Why can’t I steal? Rape? Fornicate? Lie? Kill? Whatever?

If you really don’t believe in life after death, why are you a man of such high morals? Why do I feel a lot closer to the God I believe in when I’m near you than when I’m near most people? In other words, why are you so good, if you’re going to end up so bad?

That’s it, Teach! That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.

See Yah,

If there is life after death, and if there is a judgment, all – atheist, agnostic, Christian, Moslem, etc., etc.,, will be judged the same way: “What good – if anything – have you done with your time?”

Paul put it best: “We see through a glass darkly.” However, to be honest with you, I can’t see through the glass. I “see” nothing beyond it. I simply live in hope.

Michael D. (photo by J. Confino)

Michael D. (photo by J. Confino)

Not only did Michael D. live in hope, he also conveyed hope to many others in his life. His mere presence and wonderful use of language was most uplifting to those around him, including me.

 

As usual, this posting is part of a larger body of work pending publication.  Any quotation, or reference to it (or others) must be made with the authors’ permission, which may be obtained by contract through the e-mail listed below:

tandcassociates@gmail.com

or by contact via the URL below.   Readers’ comments and feedback are welcome by the same means, which will be edited and published for further discussion.