The Dark Side of Life
Nursing the living dead.10 total reviews
Comment from Pearl Edwards
This is a terrible indictment of the way people were treated back then. I have not heard of this Peat Island before but I am sure it is still an eerie place from what happened there. Another story well told of your years in nursing, Kay.
Cheers
Valda
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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This is a terrible indictment of the way people were treated back then. I have not heard of this Peat Island before but I am sure it is still an eerie place from what happened there. Another story well told of your years in nursing, Kay.
Cheers
Valda
Comment Written 18-May-2024
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Hello Valda, Many thanks for reading. It is Aboriginal land and they have taken it over as a cultural site for tourists. Blessings, Kay.
Comment from Brenda Strauser
Wow, this is a heartwrenching story. Sometimes, I wonder how people can treat other people like you mentioned. The story is well written and very descriptive, and also very sad. Great job on this.
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Wow, this is a heartwrenching story. Sometimes, I wonder how people can treat other people like you mentioned. The story is well written and very descriptive, and also very sad. Great job on this.
Comment Written 18-May-2024
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Hi Brenda, Many thanks for reading. The Island has been taken back by the aboriginals as a tourist and Cultural Centre. It was originally called Rabbit Island and the rabbits are back! Blessings, Kay.
Comment from Jesse James Doty
Whoa, Kay, this sounds like a nightmare! I can easily say I do and don't relate to both at the same time. I worked in a Psych hospital in the late 80s and it was very different than what you experienced. I worked with some interesting and fun co-workers who also went to college like I did at the time. The patients had their troubles but not half as bad as what you wrote about at Peat Island.
You wrote this so well it was as if I were there with you in that hell hole of a place.
I wouldn't have stayed a full day let alone six months' worth of screaming and hideous inmates running around naked and scared.
I admire your integrity and decision to leave that place. Good for you. Don't let them get you down, my friend.
Jesse
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Whoa, Kay, this sounds like a nightmare! I can easily say I do and don't relate to both at the same time. I worked in a Psych hospital in the late 80s and it was very different than what you experienced. I worked with some interesting and fun co-workers who also went to college like I did at the time. The patients had their troubles but not half as bad as what you wrote about at Peat Island.
You wrote this so well it was as if I were there with you in that hell hole of a place.
I wouldn't have stayed a full day let alone six months' worth of screaming and hideous inmates running around naked and scared.
I admire your integrity and decision to leave that place. Good for you. Don't let them get you down, my friend.
Jesse
Comment Written 18-May-2024
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Too long ago for them to let me down Jesse. I was only 24 and it was a real eye-opener in those days long ago. Thanks for reading my friend. K xx
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I am glad you left that job behind.
Those types of jobs are real burnouts!
Your friend,
Jesse
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My next story will be about nursing palliative care children. K xx
Comment from Sanku
Oh how terrible. I am glad those days are over. Though psychiatric cases are on the increase.You have written very well and all the best for the contest.
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Oh how terrible. I am glad those days are over. Though psychiatric cases are on the increase.You have written very well and all the best for the contest.
Comment Written 18-May-2024
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Hi Sanku, Yes, they were dreadful days. Man's inhumanity to man.
Thanks for reading. Kay xx
Comment from joann r romei
Wow, I'd love to hear more of these stories, it is so sad, and many times I wonder if there are people kept locked in rooms by family because they are mentally ill, or disabled.
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Wow, I'd love to hear more of these stories, it is so sad, and many times I wonder if there are people kept locked in rooms by family because they are mentally ill, or disabled.
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Thanks for reading Joann. Yes, a lot goes on behind closed doors and not much can be done. K xx
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Oh, Kay! What a horrendous story! Those poor people, especially those who didn't belong there. But that last part, when that man was laughing because the girls were brought to the men to be abused!! That was disgusting! I'm glad it's not being used for that today, and that the Aboriginals have been given it back. The trouble is, that didn't only happen there, many of those places have practiced atrocities against the patients. Your story is so well written, and even thought it was horrific to read, it was excellent, and I'm glad you did. Well done and good luck in the contest. I do hope you win. Love and hugs, my friend. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Oh, Kay! What a horrendous story! Those poor people, especially those who didn't belong there. But that last part, when that man was laughing because the girls were brought to the men to be abused!! That was disgusting! I'm glad it's not being used for that today, and that the Aboriginals have been given it back. The trouble is, that didn't only happen there, many of those places have practiced atrocities against the patients. Your story is so well written, and even thought it was horrific to read, it was excellent, and I'm glad you did. Well done and good luck in the contest. I do hope you win. Love and hugs, my friend. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Hello my special seagull! I had to write it, didn't want to offend people reading it. There were worse incidents. We lived close to the island and the 300 dead had no headstones, just thrown in together. I'm not a sad sack, but I had to write it. Bless you cuddlepot, Kay xx
Comment from BethShelby
How horrible. That sound so inhuman. I certainly hope things have changed since but 1969 doesn't seem that long ago. Those conditions sound like something from the dark ages.
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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How horrible. That sound so inhuman. I certainly hope things have changed since but 1969 doesn't seem that long ago. Those conditions sound like something from the dark ages.
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Beth, The place was only closed down in 2000. Now, the real owners of the beautiful island are building a place for tourists and their own people to practice their Aboriginal culture. The land belongs to them. Man's inhumanity to man has gone. K xx
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Kay, this is an amazing, faultless write and sadly can only be a virtual 6 from me. The scene you paint is horrific and I admire you for staying as long as you did. I have some knowledge of this type of environment, having worked in Probation and a 'rehabilitation' unit (euphemism for - dumping ground) for severely mentally impaired adults. But I won't go into that, save to say that that I can relate a little to your story.
Your prose is well structured and immensely powerful. And, if this isn't another winner for you, I'll eat my hat!! Take care Debbie x
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Kay, this is an amazing, faultless write and sadly can only be a virtual 6 from me. The scene you paint is horrific and I admire you for staying as long as you did. I have some knowledge of this type of environment, having worked in Probation and a 'rehabilitation' unit (euphemism for - dumping ground) for severely mentally impaired adults. But I won't go into that, save to say that that I can relate a little to your story.
Your prose is well structured and immensely powerful. And, if this isn't another winner for you, I'll eat my hat!! Take care Debbie x
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Hello my friend Debbie. Glad you could relate. Back in those days there was no compassion. Animals were treated better. It still goes on behind closed doors. I blame ignorance and the Govt who ran it. I see in the future, these imperfect humans will be put to sleep. It is a dicey situation costing millions to keep them alive. What say you? K xx
Comment from Wendy G
Unbelievable stories of total lack of compassion and care. Not only for the inmates, but for the well-being of the staff. A Downs Syndrome diagnosis should not have left that poor young man in a mental asylum. Hopefully there is better care now.
Best wishes for your entry.
Wendy
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Unbelievable stories of total lack of compassion and care. Not only for the inmates, but for the well-being of the staff. A Downs Syndrome diagnosis should not have left that poor young man in a mental asylum. Hopefully there is better care now.
Best wishes for your entry.
Wendy
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Yes, the place was shut down in 2000. Apparently it was called Rabbit Is when opened in 1904. It was primarily for alcoholics. Over the years, 300 inmates died in suspicious circumstances. Today, the aborigines own Peat Island. Thanks Wendy.
Comment from lyenochka
Oh Kay! What horrors you witnessed during your young years in nursing. It shows me your strength of character and healing compassion that God used even in this "hell" of a place. Best wishes in the contest!
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Oh Kay! What horrors you witnessed during your young years in nursing. It shows me your strength of character and healing compassion that God used even in this "hell" of a place. Best wishes in the contest!
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Hello my friend Lena, It sure was an introduction to hell. Still, we are on Earth to learn. I knew it was wrong for me. I'm too soft. Originally it was called Rabbit Island, a place for alcoholics. Opened in 1914 it went through different hands. Today it is abandoned to the aborigines. It is their land and they are going to set up a cultural centre. K xx
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That sounds so much better. May the land rest and be a blessing to share aboriginal culture.
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I could see the island from my front verandah. A stunningly beautiful place.
Hugs, Kay xx