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In 1965, Jon Brock's behavior began to worry his family, so they had him committed to Bryce Hospital—Alabama's oldest psychiatric facility. He was 22 years old at the time.
Here, Jon tells his daughter Glenny about his experience at Bryce.
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
In 1965, Jon Brock's behavior began to worry his family, so they had him committed to Bryce Hospital—Alabama's oldest psychiatric facility. He was 22 years old at the time.
Here, Jon tells his daughter Glenny about his experience at Bryce.
Broadcast History
NPR's Morning Edition March 25, 2011
Transcript
Jon Marshall Brock (JMB): At the time, there was a lack of other resources for what a family could do when they had a family member who was not well. Having no other choice, uh, my parents had me committed.
I was put into a small room, locked. There was nothing in the room except walls, floor, ceiling, a window on the far side. Bars, bars on the door.
The doctor told my parents that I was hopelessly insane; that I would never leave; that they should visit me less; at home, they should speak of me less; and at a point, they should move on with their lives and leave me behind.
Glenny Brock (GB): Do you remember anything that happened to you in the hospital?
JMB: I began to be given shock treatments. And after a number of them, my older sister, Kay, visited. And I spoke with her with great feeling about it. And asked her that she have them stop giving me shock treatments. Kay said tha...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:Time now for StoryCorps...
Today… a look back on the way mental illness was once treated in this country.
It comes from Jon Brock -- who spoke with his daughter, Glenny.
In 1965, when he was 22, Jon's behavior started to worry his family.
And he was brought to Bryce Hospital -- Alabama's oldest and largest psychiatric facility -- where he was treated for schizophrenia…
OUTRO:Jon Brock with his daughter, Glenny, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Jon went on to get a Masters Degree in Public Administration. Today he helps patients of Bryce Hospital readjust to life on the outside.
All StoryCorps interviews are archived at the Library of Congress, and the podcast is at NPR dot ORG.
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fljotavik | Sigur Ros | Með suð i eyrum við spilum endalaust. | XL Recordings | 2008 | 00:05 |
Additional Credits
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
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