An Environmental Influence

A doctor dismisses the hereditary factor. A court examination leaves the cause of illness blank.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:01

January 24, 1956.

SPEAKER_02 0:08

I kept my appointment with Dr. Name Redacted, who was assigned to the ward in which Gabriel Bowman resides, and I explained the purpose of my visit to him, namely to discuss permanent commitment planning with Gabriel. He stated that they have little hope of Gabriel ever being completely cured, and that he felt our agency should have no compunction about proceeding with permanent plans for these youngsters. He questioned me as to what was involved in permanent commitments, and after I discussed this with him, he continued to feel this would be the best plan for the children.

unknown 0:42

Dr.

SPEAKER_02 0:43

Name redacted pointed out that many different types of treatment had been used with Gail, but that her condition continues very much the same. She has never discussed the twins with him, and in fact has very little to say to anyone, including the patients. They use the treatment whereby they keep the patients busy and occupied, and in so doing, they had gotten her a position doing housework in the business manager's apartment. They found, however, after six weeks, that she was not capable of handling this job, that she had to be constantly supervised as she was vague and could not follow through on directions. He cited an example of how she would wash and wipe a cup and instead of putting it away, would put it back in the dirty washwater.

unknown 1:28

Dr.

SPEAKER_02 1:28

Name redacted felt that it would be satisfactory for me to talk with Mrs. Bowman in terms of the permanent commitment, but that she probably would not respond to the discussion. He was willing to sit in on this interview. She indicated her nervousness, as she shook quite badly and wrung her hands. She showed no upset at my questioning, but answered in a voice lacking any emotion. I questioned her as to whether she recalled that her twin children were under the care of our agency, and she stated that she remembered this. I remarked that the children were getting along fine in their foster home. I then explained to her that we understood she had not been well and that she probably would not be able to care for these youngsters for some time because of her health condition. And we were wondering how she would feel about their being permanently committed to our agency and possibly placed in adoption. She stated, I don't have much to say about it in here. I encouraged her to voice her feeling about this, but she merely stated, I don't want them adopted. Dr. Name Redacted then pointed out to her that she could not take care of the youngsters herself, as she had already stated, and did she know of anyone who would look after them for her? She stated, only my sister back east. I wondered if she were referring to Mrs. Name Redacted, and she stated she was. I explained that Mrs. Name Redacted had written to us and was interested in the welfare of the children, but didn't feel that she could take them because of her own financial situation.

unknown 3:04

Dr.

SPEAKER_02 3:05

Name Redacted wondered if our planning did not seem best for the welfare of the twins, and Gail remarked yes, and then stated, but I don't want them adopted out. She again remarked that there wasn't much she could do about it in here. She stated that if her sister said it was alright, she guessed it would be alright with her. I questioned her directly regarding this asking. Gail replied yes. If her sister said so, she guessed it was alright. I wondered if she had any further questions regarding the children, and she said no. Dr. Name redacted, then asked if she had any further questions, and she asked him about the possibility of transfer back east to Massachusetts, as she had no relatives here. He explained to her that she had legal residence here, and she stated her legal residence was in Massachusetts. She then stated she had been here nine years, and he explained the procedure to have her transferred. After Gail left, Dr. Naymredacted pointed out how unresponsive and unemotional she was in discussing her children or her own situation. He indicated that this is the way she has been since coming to the hospital in July 1953. She has no inflection in her verbal tones.

unknown 4:34

Dr.

SPEAKER_02 4:35

Naymerdacted stated when Gail had first come to the hospital, she had had hallucinations, however, she denies having these now, although her behavior makes them suspect that she does. I discussed with Dr. Nay Redacted the effect insanity or mental illness in the background of a youngster has on adoptive applicants, and wondered if he could give me some information on this. He stated that they have almost completely put aside the heredity factor in schizophrenia, feeling that the environment is the influencing element in these situations. He explained that while a child of a schizophrenic might be a little more nervous, that given a normal stimulating home environment, there is little possibility of mental illness developing. He encouraged the agency to proceed with their present planning, and we explained to him that a guardian would be appointed following our contacting Mrs. Name Redacted, and we would keep the hospital informed of any action since this might be information they would want in regard to working with Gail. January 31, 56. Worker visited Dr. Name Redacted, Kiropotist in the Corbett Building on the state, phone redacted, in order to obtain an address for Mr. Jacob Bowman.

unknown 5:56

Mr.

SPEAKER_02 5:57

Name Redacted was reluctant to give Worker this address because Mr. Bowman has asked him not to give it out. He stated that Mr. Bowman was afraid that the agency was going to try to ask for support money for the youngsters. Worker tried to point out that we were not concerned with this at this time, and only wanted to make a better plan for the youngsters and needed Mr. Bowman's approval. He told me to write to Mrs. Name Redacted for this information, the mother of Jacob. See letters to Mrs. Name Redacted and Jacob Bowman in file. Worker also contacted Name Redacted, attorney, in the Corbett building on this date. Dr. Name Redacted suggested we do this as Mr. Name Redacted had been the one to handle Mr. Bowman's divorce. Mr. Name Redacted stated that he would try to get information to help us, and Worker was to call him back. January 31 through May 17, 1956. During this time, Worker has visited the Bowman twins once in the foster home and had a conference in the home with Mrs. Name Redacted, foster mother. Mrs. Name Redacted has a new baby, which is only about three weeks old, and she is not sufficiently recovered. She told Worker that she would have to ask that the children be moved by the 1st of June, as she is not well enough to care for them now. She told Worker that she thought she was too old to have had this last baby, as it has been so hard on her. She said that she and her husband have grown very attached to the youngsters, and it is going to be very hard to give them up. The children, too, know no other parents than the redacteds. During the past few months, Worker has corresponded with the legal father of the children and also the maternal aunt, Mrs. Name Redacted, in regards to the children. Relinquishments were received from the father, and Mrs. Name Redacted wrote stating that she is very sorry but is unable to give the children a home. She knew of no other relatives who would be in a position to do so either. A letter was written to the court requesting that a hearing be set up in the near future in order for a permanent commitment to be made to us. Letters from the state hospital were sent to the court about Mrs. Bowman's mental condition. Mrs. Name Redacted is the courtworker, and she also wrote to the hospital and stated she received the same answer. She told us that a spokesman or guardian would have to be appointed by the court to represent Mrs. Bowman. This guardian has been appointed and is Mrs. Name Redacted of legal aid. Mrs. Name Redacted must visit the mother in the hospital before there can be a hearing set. Mrs. Name Redacted felt that the hearing probably will be around the end of June or before, depending on when Mrs. Name Redacted goes up to Pendleton to the hospital. We told Mrs. Name Redacted that the children would probably be permanently committed to us within the next few months, and then they would go into a permanent adoptive home. We hoped that she would keep them on until they moved. She said that even though she would like to, she felt that she couldn't, and that the sooner they moved, the better. She wondered a little about the children being available for adoption soon, and worker cautioned her not to talk of this to neighbors or friends, as sometimes that caused a lot of confusion, and people would be coming to us asking for them. We told her that we have a long list of people who are waiting for adopting a child and that these homes are thoroughly studied for adoptive children. She told us that the children were very good, and that there wasn't anything the matter with them. She did say, however, that she thought the children should be separated for a period of time in order to let David develop his own personality. She said that Olivia still dominates him terribly and that he is still behind her. While she was having her baby, David and Olivia were separated for ten days. Mrs. Name Redacted said that she could see a huge change in David during this time. She said that David was much more outgoing and did many things on his own that he never would have done if Olivia had been with him. She said that as soon as Olivia came back, though, they fell back into their own pattern right away. We have noticed in the record that these children were tested by Dr. Name Redacted in July 1953. This was while they were still in Providence Nursery. Olivia tested with an IQ of 95, and David's report is not yet in file, but has been requested from Dr. Name Redacted. Worker feels that these children would probably test higher than this now since they have been in the same foster home for two years. This case has been referred to the adoption department by Worker, and it seems that there may be a home available for the twins when the permanent commitment is received. It looks, however, that at the 1st of June, a temporary plan will have to be made for them until the hearing is held.

SPEAKER_00 11:18

Relinquishment. I do hereby surrender and relinquish all my parental rights, care, and guardianship to and over said child unto Catholic services for children, consideration of the advantages which the said child will have as a ward of the said agency, or the benefits and advantages which may come to her by adoption. This surrender is made with the clear understanding that the said agency will be the sole guardian of the said child, that it shall have the right to place her in a Catholic family. Although I am not of that faith, and that it shall have the right to give or to withhold its consent to the adoption of the said child after having carefully investigated the foster home. And I hereby agree and promise that I shall, neither directly nor indirectly, claim any future right or guardianship to and over the said child. And I hereby certify that I have read the foregoing surrender and understand its contents, and that I have executed the same freely and without undue influence from any person or persons. And I distinctly waive all notice for appearance or consent or knowledge of any kind in relation to the placement or adoption of the said child, and by this surrender to the Catholic services, do transfer absolutely all my parental rights. Subscribed and sworn to before me this twentieth day of March 1956.

SPEAKER_01 13:13

Robert Kinney, notary public. This is all that is known.