Pulling the Plug on a Dying Hospital

How sad the ordeal of watching a loved one die. People do everything in their power to maintain life, unless a value judgment is made that “quality of life” is so poor that they can live with the decision to turn off the machines. Death occurs when vital systems shut down, though the body still has life.

It is equally sad to watch Camarillo State Hospital/Developmental Center in its death throes, though it is heartening to consider its many offspring, consumers, now functioning more effectively in new or rebuilt lives, better able to cope. And former students, trainees, interns of many diverse professions and occupations now enriching the fields of mental health and development services far and, literally, world wide, a direct product of this institution. And, like family, we hope that they are prepared, that we did our job well.

There is still life in the 61-year-old bones. Energy of human endeavor still flows, and consumers and other graduates continue to leave, enriched by the experience. But the loss of staff, the brains of the institution, makes it difficult to continue. These losses threaten the “quality of life.” Now other institutions are “harvesting” body parts, staff and equipment, which are already strengthening other systems.

There is still more to give. More life, more contributions. But the plug is now being pulled. We hope, like family, not prematurely. If we only had better insurance!

JAMES R. TEIGEN, LCSW

Ventura