Beautiful piece, and appreciate the effort you have put into learning about your lost relative. So sad. Laura Perea’s work is stunning. So many talented people never get a chance.
I have many people in my family tree who disappeared in this way and whose lives are unknown. Thank you for inspiring me to learn more about them and tell their stories.
I follow Jenny Lawson and had seen her posts about the art from the institution, and I have read your book - but never thought to put the two together until I saw this! Wow, what an amazing connection. The field I work in, supporting people with intellectual disabilities, was largely created and shaped by the movement to get people out of institutions and back in their communities. I have heard so many stories, and I know there are so many more that no one ever knew.
thank you for sharing this tragic story of your great grandmother. The 'if-we-don't-talk-about-it-it-will-go-away' paradigm, unfortunately is still holding on strong. Maybe it's us, and the next generations, who have to crack this nonsensical nutteryness of the system that perceives itself as perfectly 'sensible'.
Amazing story! Though your writing I can feel Vina’s desperate life in such an institution and her urging you to write about her as she prompts you in her “visitations.”
Wow, what a very very powerful story. Such silencing, and what power to now let Vina's voice and life come through. These secrets block the life force for generations and generations and generations...
I think that psychiatric hospitals are the prisons not only physically but intellectually also. I think about Chekhov's Room #6, where a doctor became a patient of his psychiatric room #6. But not everything is lost; we have Laura Perea's tortured artwork and Jenny Lawson and your stories about lost lives and they are not lost anymore. Thank you for the inspiring stories.
I am grateful to everyone who was involved in this round of my search: Jenny Lawson, Kathryn Vercillo (who posted Jenny’s blog about the artist, L. Perea) and those of you who responded to my post.
Beautiful piece, and appreciate the effort you have put into learning about your lost relative. So sad. Laura Perea’s work is stunning. So many talented people never get a chance.
Thank you!!
A powerful tale. How wonderful to feel that connection with Vina and her story.
Beautifully written.
This story is amazing Jane. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Imagine!
I have many people in my family tree who disappeared in this way and whose lives are unknown. Thank you for inspiring me to learn more about them and tell their stories.
I hope you will pursue their stories. It's not easy to do but so very healing.
I follow Jenny Lawson and had seen her posts about the art from the institution, and I have read your book - but never thought to put the two together until I saw this! Wow, what an amazing connection. The field I work in, supporting people with intellectual disabilities, was largely created and shaped by the movement to get people out of institutions and back in their communities. I have heard so many stories, and I know there are so many more that no one ever knew.
I can imagine the stories you have witnessed. It's humbling, yes?
thank you for sharing this tragic story of your great grandmother. The 'if-we-don't-talk-about-it-it-will-go-away' paradigm, unfortunately is still holding on strong. Maybe it's us, and the next generations, who have to crack this nonsensical nutteryness of the system that perceives itself as perfectly 'sensible'.
So nice to read your response, Veronkia. I agree with you that the story holds "strong." Thank you for seeing me here.
Oh my! Thank you for sharing this powerful piece.
Amazing story! Though your writing I can feel Vina’s desperate life in such an institution and her urging you to write about her as she prompts you in her “visitations.”
Thank you. I may write an update on this story soon. I will carry it forever.
Wow, what a very very powerful story. Such silencing, and what power to now let Vina's voice and life come through. These secrets block the life force for generations and generations and generations...
I think that psychiatric hospitals are the prisons not only physically but intellectually also. I think about Chekhov's Room #6, where a doctor became a patient of his psychiatric room #6. But not everything is lost; we have Laura Perea's tortured artwork and Jenny Lawson and your stories about lost lives and they are not lost anymore. Thank you for the inspiring stories.
I am grateful to everyone who was involved in this round of my search: Jenny Lawson, Kathryn Vercillo (who posted Jenny’s blog about the artist, L. Perea) and those of you who responded to my post.