Inside/Outside: Building a Meaningful Life in the Community After the Hospital

Inside/Outside:Building a Meaningful Life in the Community After the Hospital A Film by Patricia E. Deegan PhD and Terry Strecker

Chris

George

Brandon

Gus

Gus’ Daughter

Lynne

Mandy

Christen

Inside-Inside • We physically enter the institution and at first it seems strange and alien • However, slowly the institution creeps inside of us - its routines, emphasis on conformity, letting others make decisions for us • The voice of self is submerged and the voice of the professional other becomes our reference point

Inside-Outside • At some point we catch a glimpse of a new possibility for ourselves outside of the institution • We are still physically inside the institution, but our soul soars for a moment outside of the institution. • For some people this comes in a sudden moment of insight. For others it comes more gradually

Outside-Inside • As people approach discharge they sometimes grow afraid of the very thing they long for. They have become dependent on the very thing they wanted to escape. • People leave the hospital physically, but inside they are still acting and thinking as if they are in a hospital. They look to others to make them well.

Outside-Outside • We eventually live outside of the hospital and we also eject the “internalized hospital” • We discover our voice and our choice. We begin to trust ourselves. We begin to look to ourselves for direction. We learn who we can depend on. We develop relationships with peers and friends. We have the supports we need.

Inside/Outside: Building a Meaningful Life in the Community After the Hospital