ASYLUM

IN A SMALL VILLAGE HIDDEN IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NEPAL I SHOT THIS STORY ABOUT A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN. BEING "DIFFERENT IS NOT ACCEPTED IN THIS CULTURE. CHILDREN BORN WITH A MENTAL, PHYSICAL OR GENETIC DEFECT ARE DUMPED AT HOSPITALS. THE SHAME OF HAVING A HANDICAPPED CHILD IN THIS COUNTRY IS THE GREATEST HUMILIATION THERE IS. EVEN BEING BORN WITH A SHORTAGE OF PIGMENT IS A REASON TO BE SEEN AS OUTCAST. COMPLETELY HEALTHY ALBINO CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP AMONGST SERIOUSLY ILL PATIENTS. THERE WAS ONE GIRL AGED SEVENTEEN IN CHARGE OF THE TWENTY CHILDREN LIVING AT THE HOSPITAL. AT THAT AGE SHE DID NOT HAVE A MEDICAL BACKGROUND. THE PATIENTS DID NOT GET MEDICATED. THE CHILDREN SLEPT TOGETHER IN ONE ROOM. BESIDES THE STENCH OF URINE AND FECES THE SCREAMS AT NIGHT BROUGHT SHIVERS DOWN MY SPINE.