Kirkbride Buildings - Historic Insane Asylums Forum

i knew Father Fred. He was the priest at St. Francis for years and years. I thought that he had worked closely with the hospital but I didn't know. My best friends mother used to volunteer in the chapel. Her name was Mrs. O'Neil.
I visit TC about once a year. I think I am going to try to go see this new thing they have done to the hospital but I will always remember it the way it was. It has been over 30 years since I have been there. I am sad to say that I begged my mom not to take me there anymore because I was so scared that I would be left there. She thought I was silly but she stopped making me go.

Mrs. O'Neil, did she play the organ?

She may have. She was a small lady. Very very sweet. I just know that she felt it was very important that she donate her time there.

The more I think of this, it was her who played the organ every Sunday, I seem to remember her name on the sign every sunday. And yes she was short. I was always impressed with her playing because this organ had bass foot pedals and she was the only one who could play with her hands and feet, a well rounded out sound. I do not recall her ever saying much thou.

I would like to point out that every day in that hospital, was a little story, just with different people, or events. It would take 5 years to tell it all.

I would also like to mention this is not hard for me to talk about anymore, since sharing this with my family and friends and all of you the readers. It has even got me back into writing songs again after a 9 year absent. I still have things to write about.

It is easier to write my stories here, when someone/you talk back, lol, this way I know that I am not talking to myself. (again) lol. As I stated before certain sounds, smells, names, events, colors bring back memories.

Don't be afraid to ask, the worst I will say is "are you out of your mind".

Ronl,
You say that you were there until you were 18 years old. Where did you go from there?
I understand that most of the children that were there were only there because their families could not handle their behavioral problems. I also know there were some kids in there that really did belong.
Do you still have family back in TC?

My real mother also worked there for a while, i am not sure how long because I was just a baby when she left my father. Her name was Judy. I don't know where she worked just know she worked there.

I am going to call my step mom again and get some names from her of people she knew that worked there. Maybe we can find someone in common.

Please keep posting your thoughts. It helps others to understand how some things went wrong in the past and can help others to not allow this stuff to happen again.

It is great that you are very strong and can talk about this stuff. I know how hard putting your feelings out to others can be.

I was 18 and it was in early January 1971, I left by Grayhound Bus and went to california. I never had any family in TC, southern part of the state, they have all passed away.
BTW my name is Ron, lol

Ok so here is a dumb question...how did you end up in TCSH? If this is too personal just say so. From the way you write there doesn't seem to be anything "wrong" with you.
I could have very well ended up one of the forgotten children. I have 3 brothers and a sister. Our mother left when I was just a baby. My dad kept us...
By the way, my name is Lisa (LOL!!)

I am dyslexic, at the time they had no name for it, I say, hear,see and write words back wards, I once wrote a letter to my family completely back wards so they would have to look in the mirror to read it. Thanks for spell check "I am feeling much better now" lol. I also can write and throw a ball with either hand, and can play a guitar that way also. I have a left handed friend and blew him away once when I picked up his Les paul and played it. He knew I played right handed and thought this could not be possible. I also was always the "Alpha Kid" head strong. I also refused to be in the Special ED at school. There for I was a brat.

Ron,
That is such a common problem these days. And to think of what you went through because of that?! I would be a "hard head" if I had to deal with that myself. It didn't make you a bad person. Just someone that was not understood. Isn't it strange how people always take the easy way out of something. The philosophy is if you don't know what it is don't deal with it. That really hasn't changed very much even today. People are still very judgemental about differences. But look at how much you have accomplished in your life now. Sometimes set backs make us stronger people.

I have had 4 IQ test in my life, 2 of them were at TCSH, and the results were 131-139. Its just words and spelling that stumps me. I sometimes stumble on words when reading and have a hard time getting past them once I stumble on them.

Christmas 65, I received a cheep True Tone (Western Auto) Classical Guitar, and a book by Chet Akins, "How To Play The Guitar In 30 Days" I have always said: If I Ever Meet Old Chet, I Will Kick Him In The A$$, and tell him, "It Takes A Lot Longer Than 30 Days".

I stuck it out and I still play daily, I write my own songs and have done so since I got that old cheep guitar.

I remember figuring out chords, than how to mix them to make a rhythm. I also remember breaking old albums just to make myself a few guitar picks. Them old 78 shellac records made horrible guitar picks. I am completely self taught. Tuning a guitar was always very hard for me to do. It took years before I could hear the vibration harmonics oscillating evening out. You would have to be a musician to know what I am talking about.

This was also the first Christmas on Hall-18, and the odd smell that came with it. Everyone got censored gifts regardless. I remember some outside kids (Boys & Girls) coming to Hall-18 to sing and bring us candy, I think they were from St Francis Church?

The Catholic community in Traverse City, was the dominate force at the hospital, there were always a Catholic something going on and many volunteers. Its funny, I never seen a Nunn at the hospital.

I have no idea what my IQ is. Guess I don't really care. I must be a little bit smart or I wouldn't be working in a computer programming job

Anyway, what do you do? I know you write music, I have listened to most of the songs you have posted on your web page. I didn't see anything very recent though.

I hope I don't bother you with too many questions. My mind just runs fast all of the time and I always want to know more more more!!

Feel free to ask me anything you want. I know a little about mental illness because I am being treated for anxiety disorder and have been for 6 years now since I took chemotherapy treatments. The meds messed something up in my brain and I don't sleep very well and I get very anxious and it makes it where I can't breath. Kind of freaky but the medication I am on gets me through the day.

I have done many things in my life. In the 80's I owned a construction company, but this messed up my back. In the 90's I owned a large Music store and music production company as well as a recording studio. I got into computers in the early 90's and I now own a internet company. I manage websites and own a few web servers, all state of the art machines.
I am loved by many, lol, when attacks happen to servers, who do you call, lol, ickie, hehehe. Daily I battle hackers, and win 99% of the time.

I sold my music store just to get into the computer business around 2000.
I still have a nice home studio, 24 track. I also work from my home.

Sounds like you have had a very fulfilling life. I have been hitting the same time clock for the same company for 24 years now. Will be nice to retire one day and just enjoy life. Maybe some of my stress will go away