
E.C.H.O.E.S. - Edmonton went to Weyburn on October 11-12 2008

I found this mural very disquieting. Notice that it slides ever so neatly from the chaos of the left side, all the way into happy family bliss on the right. Are each of us, in ourown way, this close, in reverse? Thankfully, the nightmares of our "medical experimentation" phases are complete. And if you believe this, I have an abandoned Mental Hospital to sell you. Cheap. |
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Like a tour through the mind of a mad genius, Every turn leads to another long path leading into darkness. "These are the rooms where the nursing students lived while they were here", our guide would say, and my thoughts would stray to perhaps the "motor functions" area of the brain. "This is the area where the dangerous residents were housed", and my thoughts would stray to that dark little corner that exists in everyone's mind. For some people they allow that little corner's darkness to spread throughout their minds. Others reign it in and allow it out only to play once in a while. Others fight and fight and fight to keep it in all the time, but have momentary moments of weakness. This may be the difference between Career Criminals, Ordinary People and, most terrifying of all, Pure Sociopaths. |
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What can be said about such a place? And how far removed are each of our states of mind from belonging in such a place? Each of us lives with their own skeletons. Each of us has reasons to think that our own skeletons are that much worse than everyone else's. Where is your deviance? We, each of us, have one or more. If we didn't, we'd all be the same. Are you a "clean freak"? Are you a "Nail Biter"? Are you a "Cutter"? A nymphomaniac? A drug addict? Somewhere in these empty darkened halls, a soul roams that once thought like you think. Like I think. Like we all think. What's the difference between us and them? The Age in Which We Live. |
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Can you imagine an era when it was (not only) aceptable, but even considered proper to refer the the mentally handicapped as (High Functioning) - "Moron", (Mid-Functioning) - "Imbicile" or (Low Functioning) - "Idiot". High functioning were allowed to work at the hospital or, if "lucky" they could work at the farm. The hospital was completely self-reliant for much of it's history. It supplied it's own power, water and food. There is still a massive laundry facility in the basement. The tunnels, which connected the areas of the basement in ages past, are now completely impassable. Some areas have suffered terrible damage. Yet others look like they were used yesterday. The paintings around the facility look like the type that would be in any facility. |
Photo Credits go to: E.C.H.O.E.S. Co-Founder - Lisa. & E.C.H.O.E.S. Co-Founder - Jeff Post Tour-Photo examinations: E.C.H.O.E.S. Co-Founder - Lisa Writing Credit goes to: E.C.H.O.E.S. Co-Founder Jeff Webmaster: E.C.H.O.E.S. Co-Founder Jeff |