I know this is late, but it is part two of
Wednesday’s posting and an extremely rare Saturday throwback. I figured if I am
going to talk about how Amistad should be going forward I should also talk
about how it was as well. It was a safety net when I was falling and helped
save me when nothing seemed to be able to. I was in free fall and out popped this
net called Amistad to save me.
Originally Amistad was meant only for the mentally ill as
a semi-private social club. It was there for us to come and support each other
in our recovery as well as have activities to do to help increase the fun in
our lives since most of us were on disability. Plus, there was some vocational
rehab going on, mostly in the kitchen and dining room. As well as at the front
desk with the clerical staff.
I was one of the first young members to come in in a long
time, so most of the members were much older than me at the time. I was fine
with that since I had always gotten along better with older people for the
longest time. I made friends with many of them and sat under the learning tree
learning how things worked as well as about them. It was there that I slowly learned patience
and to cool my temper.
Slowly older members left as younger members came in and
I felt that the younger members lost out on the mentoring I had been given. Partly
because they didn’t want to listen as I had been so eager to. It came more of a
flop and less known for what it had been known for when I first heard about it.
Yes, I found it when I was 18, but I was hearing about it when I was 16 or 17
not totally sure on the time period.
A bunch of the members after Amistad would close would
hang out in Longfellow Square and chat for hours on end. And, I knowing one of
them would be invited to sit as well. And, yes there was talk of drama. But,
what I remember hearing most about Amistad back then was about the fun they
had. As well as some of the funny things that happened. And, when I first got
in there I had a lot of fun.
But, slowly fun has been stripped away. And, I know the
state wants us to be more productive but I want the place to be once more known
for the fun and inspiration it used to bring out in people. How people used to
look forward to going every day. And, not just for breakfast and lunch. They
used to stay the whole day because it was fun and entertaining. Even if they
were learning something.
And, I know I am a dreamer but I am not talking about
taking it all the way back. Just in some ways. But, I have gone on long enough
for one day. Feel free to leave your comments and questions below. And, if you
want my columns to appear in your inbox enter your email in the box below where
it says follow by email. As for me I’m not sure what I am up to next. But, I
will find something as always. *Tips his hat and walks out the door. *
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