Neat stuff room number three
Asylum for Idiots.
There was a very classy elderly lady in my practice, whom I remember fondly. She was married to a staid Englishman, friendly, but somewhat distant. They had no children, and after he died, she was left with no one close. It seemed to me that she didn’t trust many people, only a few close neighbors, her lawyer, and me… her family doctor.
When she came into the office, usually by taxi, she was always very well dressed, and I always enjoyed her visits. She had great humour and was very friendly. I imagined her home to be filled with knickknacks and oddities, although I never confirmed this.
On one of her visits, she brought me a small souvenir. ,a golden embossed “keepsake”, that read “Asylum for Idiots” in Orillia Ontario. Where she obtained this, I have no idea. … The label “Asylum for Idiots” seemed a bit disturbing for me at the time. I assumed that mental health care would improve ….Wow what a discovery!. She told me that she saw I had an interest in unusual things and thought I would enjoy this. I definitely did, and thanked her for her generosity.
We remained friends for years, but she had slowly, increasing dementia, and I think died, quite alone. She was offered all kinds of help, but refused to answer the door when I nurse came to call. The nurse would come to assess her health and possibly suggest any help that she may require. What a sad situation for such a wonderful lady!
I placed my new treasure in my “neat stuff room”. It has been there for years and I often look at it and imagine it’s history.
Asylum for Idiots in Orillia Ontario began in 1876, and was initially a place for people with “cognitive challenges”. Mental assessments and treatments were then in their infancy. The term idiot referred to “lunatic” someone who could not be treated for cured. It evolved to include slow learners, epileptics, deaf, mute, deformed, incorrigible troublemakers, as well as the elderly and the homeless. This building became a dumping ground!
It was extremely overcrowded and squalid. In 1968, it had over 2000 residents. It was a place for the “feeble minded” to be separated from society.
It was a self-sufficient village in 1907 with its own farm. The residents of Orillia, I think, we’re not aware of what was happening there.
The residents performed farming household duties, care of other residents, as well as sewing and making clothing. “Low grade imbecile girls and women” were taught how to sew. One of their projects was to make “coffin liners”.
There was much abuse and many deaths. Because of the shortage of property, bones of previous occupants of the graves were removed for the next occupants. Many graves were unmarked, except for a number. Patient 357, was a boy age 9, who lived and died there. A graduate student at York university study the history of this terrible place. Her details are found by searching the website ‘Asylum for Idiots” Orillia.
Pierre Berton knew of this terrible part of Canadian history. He compared conditions there to that of Nazi concentration camps in World War II.
This place has changed its name three times since 1876 until thankfully it was closed in 2009.
What historical information I obtained from that gift that was given to me, by that marvellous lady, so many years ago.
When I last checked the website, I came across the story of a boy with Down’s syndrome, who was admitted there at age 3 and die there at age 8.
The song “The Kilts” was written and sung by a musician who discovered his story. It is very moving. It’s on the website. Look this up. It’s an amazing part of our history!
