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To my Grandmother, May be sensitive

meggs1 View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 06:57 PM Post #1
Posts: 2,066 Joined: 10-July 09
Advanced Member
When my Mum was 4 years old, her big sister disappeared. For years she believed she had been sent away because she couldn't learn the colours. My Grandmother trusted the specialists that she needed instutional care, and that it would only confuse and distress her to visit. She accepted that the only thing she could do for her daughter was to save enough money to ensure she could stay in that home (which was pleasant for its era) for the rest of her life. I don't know why, but today when I picked up my little son from daycare, it suddenly came to me how much my Grandmother loved her firstborn daughter. I wish I could give her a hug and say I'm so sorry.

Baggy View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 06:59 PM Post #2
Posts: 2,251 Joined: 12-February 10
Advanced Member
That's so sad

Therese View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 07:01 PM Post #3
Posts: 13,843 Joined: 15-January 00
Admin & moderator
That is really sad meggs1.

Regular Show View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 07:03 PM Post #4
Posts: 1,194 Joined: 23-December 10
Advanced Member
Im afraid it was the done thing back then. My nanas sister was also 'sent away' never to be seen again. Its caused my nana great distress over the years.

Jacoby28 View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 08:32 PM Post #5
Posts: 5,363 Joined: 2-September 02 From: Western Australia
“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see
DH's grandmother had a sister with down syndrome and their mother was told to send her away as well but they refused. She is now gorgeous lady of 75yrs old and such a joy to be around .

MammaBee81 View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 08:44 PM Post #6
Posts: 40 Joined: 3-December 12 From: Sydney
New Member
You know... I think you just did give her a big hug. By acknowledging her sacrifice and by continuing her legacy by doing the best you can by your own children. Thank you for sharing

R2B2 View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 08:48 PM Post #7
Posts: 1,876 Joined: 28-April 07
Advanced Member
that is sad. I guess it gives you an appreciation of how far society has come over the years.

SCARFACE CLAW View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 08:57 PM Post #8
Posts: 1,195 Joined: 14-October 09
Advanced Member
That is so sad OP Do you know if your aunt is still alive?

jules363 View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 09:04 PM Post #9
Posts: 5,279 Joined: 13-August 01 From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I adore someone with Down syndrome
That is very sad OP. My 4yo daughter has Down syndrome, and I am constantly grateful she was born when she was, and there was no question we were going to take her home and love her the same way we do her three sisters. I have read some stories of people more or less forced to surrender their children to Kew Cottages (if they didn't they received absolutely no support, and that would be impossible). It must have ripped their hearts out. Your poor nan

BetteBoop View Member Profile	14/12/2012, 09:07 PM Post #10
Posts: 11,681 Joined: 3-April 10
++
OP, that's heartbreaking. Your grandmother was not alone in her experience. So many families with kids with disabilities were told to put their children into care and forget they ever had them. I worked with a lot of adults with disabilities who hadn't seen their families since they were little kids. Fortunately many of them did reconnect with those kids later in life. Did anyone in your family ever get back in touch with your aunt?

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