Today we had the opportunity to go and visit Elbasan’s mental facility. This is a place where the mentally ill are dropped off and never seen by their family members. There are some that have been orphaned since they were little and are wards of the state.
The front of the building
Inside the facility.
I will not lie and say I wasn’t a bit scared. Coming from me that’s a big thing because I had worked at a nursing home for 5 years, and I have seen everything there is to know about places like this. I don’t know if it was Kata telling me that they were the worst conditions that they have ever seen at a hospital in Albania, or if it was that they drug the residents so much that they are incoherent. Whatever that case was, walking in the facility I had my guard up against anything and everything. Working as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), I have been kicked, punched, threatened, objects thrown at me, and much more. I felt prepared for anything to come, yet I was still happy to be in a hospital setting. It felt like home.
We headed to the main building where the residents weren’t allowed to leave the floor. The guys went to the right to the men’s ward, and the girls went to the left to the women’s ward. I entered the women’s ward and I saw a few of the women sitting in chairs, and a few walking around. Kristin our leader gave us chocolate bars to hand around to the residents. I started to walk around and hand them out, until I came across a room. I look inside and saw two women sitting on the bed. I walked in and handed out the chocolate bars to the two women, and then one stands up and gives me a great big hug. I sit next to her while she ate her candy bar and I helped open the other residents. Even though I couldn’t understand what was being said, I felt that my presence brightened their day. Not just because of the chocolate bar, but because someone else was there.
A third lady came in and started to jump up and down while holding my hands. This gave me the idea to take her to the middle of the room to dance. So we danced for a while in the little rooms with the beds, then I decided to lead her to the large room for others to join. After some time the dancing slowed and one of the ladies in the little room just came up to hold me. This was so important because the people here don’t have anyone that visits them or goes out of their way to talk to them. So just to have someone that cares means so much to them… it meant so much to her. Though the words were never exchanged the heart was felt.
The lady that held me for the longest time, and never wanted to let go.
A lot of these people have never had family; never had anyone to hold their hand. They have been forgotten by their family, yet we strangers from the other side of the world came to let them know that they are loved and never forgotten.
A lady who like to give me hugs and who I danced with for the longest time!
She had be orphaned as a same child, for her family didn't want her because she was perfect. I see her as a beautiful women. God see's her as his child, not matter what she looks like.
This day will always be with me because it was a day that was so unexpected yet it filled me with so much joy in my heart.
