Sarina McCabe 11-6-2013 Period 6

Process Paper

When selecting my history day project, I thought about how choices affect rights and responsibilities. I wanted a project that would remind my peers of their privileges. I arrived at the idea of the rights of the mentally disabled and the responsibilities of society to protect and provide for them. People with mental disabilities are often not recognized as humans and have been abused in the American health system, which is supposed to be their safe haven. Many can recount the horrors of sexual abuse, unauthorized surgical procedures without pain relievers, and even murder. This is no way to treat a person. To begin the project, I asked case managers (who work with disabled people) for an overview of the American mental health system. From there, I researched the background of an individual named Joe, who lost an eye in a mental institute as the result of an unauthorized lobotomy. That led me to other forms of mistreatment and abuse conducted in the state asylums/institutes. I looked up current state websites discussing institutes open today, as well as people who were significant in the field of psychology, such as Clifford W. Beers, Nellie Bly, Sallie Ionesco, and Howard Dully. In addition, I researched the progression of the mental health bill of rights in America compared to the systems decline. I had chosen the tone for my project before choosing a presentation category. Because this topic is harrowing and sensitive, I envisioned using a blend of words and pictures to present facts in a way that spoke to readers hearts. I also wanted it to be easily accessible to adolescents. Words evoke emotion from readers, making the past closer to our own lives. Pictures help people to visualize and process the material. When making my project, I outlined a design with interactive information and pictures that demonstrated the stories told through the text. After school, I spent time mapping out hyperlinks and organizing my ideas, as well as forming a thesis to revolve my website around. The constitution states that All men are created equal. Does a man who was born different deserve to be treated differently? I think not. Its a constitutional right to be able to participate in society if born legally in America. If we are to deny the right to work, then is it not our responsibility to provide care? Its not just to deny a person the right to live either. Throughout history, disabled people have fought for the right to life. Should not someone take on the responsibility of fighting for these humans rights? This NHD theme was about rights and responsibilities. Ive designed my project to emphasize the importance of caring for those that in need, like the mentally disabled. That system was doomed to fail, as it was corrupted. Now, as America is picking up the broken pieces, Id like to draw attention to the rights of the mentally disabled by talking about the lack of respect and rights that they were given in the past.