This week I discovered an unusual way to get to know people.
As I have said, one of the major reasons for this blog is to develop the discipline of writing often so that I will actually complete the book that I am committed to. It’s the life story of my friend, a Forgotten Australian, so called because they were abused and neglected in institutional care. The working title for that book is now Not Forgotten, who knows what it will be called eventually.
This week I received the medical records from the practise that has provided care to my friend, for over 34 years, as she has battled mental health problems. I spent hours reading, collating and putting information in chronological order. Not only did I get to know a lot more about my friend I also got a sense of who the doctors were that have treated her over the years. I am currently in awe of how they have cared for her, particularly the doctor she has had for the last 10 years. It is clear from the records that her doctors have gone beyond what we expect of them. They have advocated for her with lawyers, police, Royal Commissions, Centrelink (repeatedly), and employers. I think it’s unusual for someone with such complex mental health difficulties to have experienced such stability of care. Hats off to the doctors who provided this continuity of care. I’m pleased to know you through the notes you have made.
That’s a wonderful insight to gain from reading your friend’s records, and an interesting response to the prompt. It reminds me how much we can learn from what is in historical records, but also how much gets left out as people decide what is worthy of record and what is not.
Thank you. It’s very interesting what’s left out. I am finding the whole process fascinating.