The diagnosis was new but the condition wasn’t. The difference was they were no longer going to be hospitalized, so parents wanted treatment for their children. In the past, there was no treatment. The diagnosis was “profound mental retardation” and they were institutionalized. Theres no epidemic
As a disabled person... I'm aware. I have to be. Bc that shit is my history... And it can't be repeated. We are STILL battling eugenics. Anytime you see job descriptions with "must have a driver's license" or "must be able to work in a fast paced environment" it's to keep disabled ppl out
Also, I wish we were more ashamed about the conditions in which disabled ppl lived in those sanitariums. Abuse from staff aside... They were under funded and under staffed for the amount of ppl who were dropped off there. They also didn't have the space for everyone in some places.
Hell, in Alberta, Canada they sterilized ppl. If you were disabled and in the sanitarium... You didn't have rights And this shit is still happening. As in disabled ppl don't have the same rights as everyone else. We still don't have marriage equality It's 2025.. wtf!