This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: bbffrrpp Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.massachusetts.unknown/3784.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hello. I have 2 relatives, one born in 1950's and developed Epilepsy shortly after birth. I don't remember but I'm sure his doctors told his parents that he should be institutionalized. 10 yrs. later the other was born with Down's Syndrome. I do remember that her doctors did want her parents to institutionalize her. Even though the 1960's were ~45 yrs. ago, and it might seem a long time to some, it was not a long time ago for others! The relative with Grand Mal Epilepsy lived at home, and was over-drugged his entire childhood by a hospital in Boston. It wasn't till they moved away from Boston when he was in his late 20's that a new specialist took away all his prescriptions. He started him on a few, new meds, and the seizures stopped. The other relative lived at home and is now a "high-function, Down's adult" who is very active in her town. I would guess that throughout the mid-1600's and up into the mid-1900's anyone who was "different" or who acted "different" was considered "not worthy of living in a town." (Even women with "female problems." My great-great-grandmother was at Danvers State Hospital for a few years ~1880. She had recently given birth twice, and it's possible she had what we now call Post-Partum Depression.) (And there were diseases that .men. developed.) (Check out the archives of the List for the "Tewksbury State Hospital.") Betty (near Lowell, MA) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.