Isolation

Mrs Catherine Curran

In the moments after awakening from sleep when one is quite disorientated a kind of peace is felt. Only when reality clicks in does the horror manifest itself. I quickly realised I was in hospital to which I had been brought by ambulance two days ago. There was a window behind me and on either side of me were glass partitions. I could see other people incarcerated in similar fashion. No one spoke or smiled. I had never seen a nurse until I came here and there were many moving smartly around doing all sorts of things. I was forbidden to leave my bed, I could not go to the lavatory, a nurse brought me a bedpan. It was all very strange and frightening for a little girl of eight. Unfortunately, I wet the bed and was duly chastised.

It was a sunny Sunday and I could see, through the window lots of grass and trees and other red brick buildings. The time passed very slowly with nothing to do but watch the activities of the nurses. I hoped none would stop at my bed bearing a metal tray covered with a cloth hiding unknown tortures. The wireless in the ward was switched on and the nurses gathered around to listen. I heard a man's voice but did not know what he said. The nurses cried and seemed very upset, I had cried a lot since being here but was chided for doing so; I quickly learned to cry under the bed clothes. I knew why I cried; I wanted my mammy. I did not know why the nurses were crying. ... (continues)