%s1 / %s2

My Lobotomy

From Sound Portraits | 00:28:33
Producers: Piya Kochhar, Dave Isay

 Credit:
One man's quest to uncover the hidden story behind the lobotomy he received as a 12-year-old child.

On January 17, 1946 a psychiatrist named Walter Freeman launched a radical new era in the treatment of mental illness in this country. On that day he performed the first-ever transorbital or "ice pick" lobotomy in his Washington, D.C. office. Freeman believed that mental illness was related to overactive emotions, and that by cutting the brain he cut away these feelings....

Freeman was equal part physician and showman and became a barnstorming crusader for the procedure. Before his death in 1972, he performed ice pick lobotomies on no less than 2500 patients in 23 states.

One of Freemen's youngest patients is today a 56-year old bus driver living in California. Over the past two years he has embarked on a quest to discover the story behind the procedure he received as a 12-year-old child.. A warning: some of the material broadcast in the following documentary may not be suitable for children.
Hide full description

On January 17, 1946 a psychiatrist named Walter Freeman launched a radical new era in the treatment of mental illness in this country. On that day he performed the first-ever transorbital or "ice pick" lobotomy in his Washington, D.C. office. Freeman believed that mental illness was related to overactive emotions, and that by cutting the brain he cut away these feelings.... Freeman was equal part physician and showman and became a barnstorming crusader for the procedure. Before his death in 1972, he performed ice pick lobotomies on no less than 2500 patients in 23 states. One of Freemen's youngest patients is today a 56-year ...
Read the full description
Click to select promos or audio versions:

Piece Audio

Personal audition only--not for broadcast. Stations must buy this piece to air it.

30-second preview. Want more? Log in or sign up for free.

Promos

Personal audition only--not for broadcast. Stations must buy this piece to air it.

30-second preview. Want more? Log in or sign up for free.
None.

8 Comments Atom Feed

Default-user-image

Review of My Lobotomy

It was an excellent piece of work--I never knew someone could come out of a lobotomy without being a vegetable...what a blessing he could get his answers and find peace for his soul!

Default-user-image

Review of My Lobotomy

This portrait of a man who got a lobotomy when he was 12 years old is disturbing and fascinating. Usually lobotomies are referred to in historical terms, "This is what happened, this is why they stopped performing them" and the story stops there. However, this piece looks at the lasting effects of this horrible practice to see what now, what has happened to the survivors? I love the contemporary view that this piece takes, as the man in the story reconstructs what happened to him and why. It's a terribly moving piece, culminating in a gorgeous song that encapsulates the mood expertly.

Photo_401_square

Review of My Lobotomy

My Lobotomy left me as numb as if I'd just had one. This piece is told with truthful honesty. The man in the story, Howard, must be a very brave person. The music running underneath the piece adds an element of experiencing a horror flick come to life and then moves toward a reflective mood. A very well rounded piece. Even Howard helps us laugh as he jokes about how affordable his lobotomy cost. Also the flow in and out of scenes is smooth and clear.

See all 8 comments >>

Broadcast History

NPR, All Things Considered, 11/16/05

Transcript

MY LOBOTOMY

On January 17, 1946 a psychiatrist named Walter Freeman launched a radical new era in the treatment of mental illness in this country. On that day he performed the first-ever transorbital or "ice pick" lobotomy in his Washington DC office. Freeman believed that mental illness was related to overactive emotions, and that by cutting the brain he cut away these feelings....

Freeman was equal part physician and showman and became a barnstorming crusader for the procedure. Before his death in 1972, he performed ice pick lobotomies on no less than 2500 patients in 23 states.

One of Freemen's youngest patients is today a 56-year old bus driver living in California. Over the past two years he has embarked on a quest to discover the story behind the procedure he received as a 12-year-old child.. His story "My Lobotomy" was produced with Piya Kochhar and Dave Isay......
Read the full transcript

Content Advisory

A warning: some of the material broadcast in the following documentary may not be suitable for children.

Musical Works

* Philip Glass, "Metamorphosis Two" (piano music by Aleck Karis)
* David Helfgott Plays Rachmaninov, "Mad Rush"
* Philip Glass, Dracula

Additional Files