Patients

Speech Therapy and Memories of Cottage 5

This e-mail was sent to me on November 17, 2005, from a former anonymous client who attended speech therapy classes at Cottage 5. The building was designated in 1967 as a Child and Adolescent Unit, meaning that it exclusively housed children and teenagers. Asylum by the Lake acknowledges the permission for the reprint of the story. 

Thanks for the fantastic website you have up! You said you were looking for any information on the LSPH.  I may be able to help a bit.

I attended Speech Therapy Classes (I had difficulties pronouncing some letters in the alphabet, which made my speech sound odd) at LSPH.  While I do not remember much about the classes, I always remembered visiting the buildings, and in particular the outside of the buildings and a small playground out front of Cottage 5? (It might be building K now, I'd have to check your site to confirm). 

I attended classes for a few months in 1977 or 1978. I was about 4 or 5 years old, and my mother tells me that I didn't like going there, because "it gave me a weird feelings." I vaguely remember not enjoying my visits - but that could have been a result of my frustration at not being able to speak properly. These classes were two times per week for an hour or two session.

I have been a resident of the area for most of my life, and after looking at your site, it inspired me to go visit the old hospital grounds. The grounds look great, I took lots of photos.

I also used to hang around the former "looney bin" from time to time, but I never entered the buildings since those speech therapy classes.

Again, thanks for the great site.  I hope my information is useful, or at least interesting.