tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821799658844915805.post8935890379981352528..comments2023-10-24T16:16:29.095+01:00Comments on Club 166: A Twisted LifeClub 166http://www.blogger.com/profile/01816977079856902634noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821799658844915805.post-32245568411394041282014-11-22T16:48:50.465+00:002014-11-22T16:48:50.465+00:00I was hospitalized at Chestnut Lodge in Rockville,...I was hospitalized at Chestnut Lodge in Rockville, Md. in the mid 1980's. <br />Rufus Watson was a patient there at the same time. In fact, we were housed together in the ACD (adolescent and child division) in one of four "houses"...ours being house 504. I'm angry reading Dr. Watson's words here about his admission that he would have aborted Rufus had he know the suffering he would face. I think Dr. Watson is at some level ashamed that a child of "HIS" could fall so far down the intellectual food chain and social hierarchy. I've met Dr. Watson and his wife numerous times, albeit as a teenager at Chestnut Lodge. I remember his visits to see his son and I witnessed his genuine mannerism and seemingly affectionate feelings for Rufus. <br />I know that Rufus Watson reads online articles about his father that mention him (I heard his father say so in an interview). Why would Dr. Watson make a statement about aborting Rufus if he had known then what his son would suffer? I assume that Dr. Watson meant that he deeply wishes he could find a way to help his son in the only way he knows how....science. <br />Why else would he have dedicated so many years to the study of autism and schizophrenia? I think Dr. Watson is a brilliant man whom sometimes displays awkward social skills...typical of great minds. He lacks tact and that rubs people the wrong way. <br />Now, let's talk about Rufus.<br />I remember the day Rufus came to Chestnut Lodge. Our house mother, Millie Bennett was getting his chart and paperwork in order. 504 was meant to appear and laid out like a home, not a hospital. Rufus planted himself on a sturdy, office furniture type love seat made of sturdy oak arms with brownish, burlap looking upholstery. This love seat was located against the back wall of the living room. To his left was the door to the dining room, and to the right was the hallway leading back to bedrooms and the office. Rufus found his "spot" and pretty much sat there whenever possible. He had a front row seat for all the coming and going of seven other kids in the house. We all knew he hated to be touched and at times we would pester him about it by touching him. <br />He developed an affinity for the only African American (girl) patient, not just in our house, but the whole of Chestnut Lodge. She was cute and bubbly with deep dimples in her cheeks. She (KT), and Rufus had a bond of sorts and he did seem to be able to communicate with her at some level. He read a lot of the time. Some days speaking very little. But, he was aware of what was going on around him because he would break into a giant grin anytime one of the kids jumped on a staff member and gave them a good left hook. Rufus looks just like his father...Carbon copy. <br />Rufus had some of the curliest hair I've ever seen. <br />It's no secret that Rufus' mental illness was much more severe than most of us children at Chestnut Lodge. Many of us had depression, behavior problems, suffered abuse, etc...your typical ambrosia of family problems. <br />I just want Rufus to know that he's remembered fondly. I wish I could have kept in touch with Rufus, but I doubt based on what his father says, he has any desire for social interaction or support. Regardless, I think of Rufus from time to time and want people to know how very funny and intelligent he was when we were kids. I stabbed a "floating" staff member once with a pencil...hard. Rufus burst into laughter to the point that I saw snot fly out of his nose. He was aware of what was going on around him. <br />I'm well into my 40's with a family now. Long gone are the days of the Chestnut Lodge that walled the rich and famous American crazies. <br />Much love Rufus....Holly Golightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15135618135564871712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821799658844915805.post-45953604178477099072007-10-26T11:51:00.000+01:002007-10-26T11:51:00.000+01:00Thanks to those that responded to both the last po...Thanks to those that responded to both the last post as well as this one.<BR/><BR/>As an update, Watson resigned as chancellor of the CSHL this week.<BR/><BR/>It is interesting that while everyone took notice of his racist comments in this last incident, his eugenetic comments never threatened his job status.<BR/><BR/>It is sad that Watson chose to make so many negative comments over the years, and so few positive ones.<BR/><BR/>JoeClub 166https://www.blogger.com/profile/01816977079856902634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821799658844915805.post-268977885432392212007-10-24T19:19:00.000+01:002007-10-24T19:19:00.000+01:00Thanks for the lengthy and informative post. I fou...Thanks for the lengthy and informative post. I found it both fascinating and frightning. I'm hearing impaired (possibly genetic in nature, cause unknown) and the mother of a child who is congenitally blind (Leber's Amaurosis, autosomal recessive) and has Asperger's. Despite our many strengths and the richness of our lives, my child and I would be considered second class citizens by Watson and his like.Daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11647906900944224234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821799658844915805.post-51977463194426191212007-10-24T16:25:00.000+01:002007-10-24T16:25:00.000+01:00The more one sees of Watson, the creepier he looks...The more one sees of Watson, the creepier he looks.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting the link to the Brave article. I've added it to my post on Watson.abfhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01228622726560993968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821799658844915805.post-57952784116099833432007-10-23T21:10:00.000+01:002007-10-23T21:10:00.000+01:00I agree that the last quote is about the most usef...I agree that the last quote is about the most useful thing I see too.<BR/><BR/>Now if Some People... Like Autism Speaks, DAN!, Generation Recue, U.S. Gov't (Other Gov'ts too) etc. would get that through their heads then maybe we wouldn't have reports of folks lighting building complexes on fire, accidentally killing themselves, being killed by people trying to Cure them, and a whole lot more.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04747506313119140677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821799658844915805.post-46456135842604457602007-10-23T14:15:00.000+01:002007-10-23T14:15:00.000+01:00If only that last quote was where he started from-...If only that last quote was where he started from----but I think it is hopeful that it could be said. It amazes me how few people seem to know about, or want to know about, the internment of Japanese Americans in WWII----students are certainly very surprised to hear about this.kristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01104388229716638534noreply@blogger.com