Rogers Hall School - Splinters Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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Doctor Phillips said nothing but only motioned with his head to one corner of the room. Joan turned around and looked. She was not surpris- ed to see a dark-haired little girl of about four with her head hung down, sitting quietly in the corner. It was peculiar that Doctor Phillips had not said anything about the child but she walked over to the corner, knelt down in front of the little stranger and spoke gently to her. The little girl raised her head. Her big, brown eyes, staring blankly into space, did not have the look of fear as did those of most of the insane children, although her little hands shook with fright. Joan turned and looked questioningly at the doctor. He looked down and still staring at his pencil, said softly, She,s blind. Joan felt a strange pang in her stomach as she remembered his words. She wrapped her coat more tightly about her as she stood on the corner to wait for the light. The light changed and she hurried across thinking now of how warm her little apartment would feel. She finally reached home and before she even took oil' her coat she sank into her favorite chair and let the warmth and quietness sink into her. Reluctantly she let her thoughts turn to the little girl she had left lying in the big white hospital bed staring at the ceiling. Her little hand had stopped shaking when Joan had taken it to lead her to her room. Joan was talking quietly but gayly to the little girl as they walked down the corridor. The child only stared straight ahead apparently not caring where she was going or who was taking her. Here we are, said Joan as she led Tina into the big, clean room. Joan leaned down, picked her up and placed her on the bed, pausing a few moments to look into the non-seeing eyes of the child. Tina did not put up any objection when Joan said that she was going to give her something nice which would let her go to sleep to dream of wonderful things. All day long as she had worked with tl1e other children Joan could not help thinking of the little girl and everytime she got the chance she would go to look in on the sleeping child. Joan reached over and shut off her alarm clock. She lay there in bed a few minutes thinking of the day ahead of her. Oh yes, Tinaf, she thought as she swung her legs over the bed and proceeded to get dressed. Joan checked in at the hospital around 8:30 and immediately went to see Tina. She unlocked Tinals door and went in seeing first by looking through the glass window in the door that Tina was still sleeping. Joan leaned over and put her hand on the child's forehead. Tinass long, dark eyelashes tluttered open and although her eyes held no sign of feeling the little body tightened up and she clutched the side of the bed. Joan spoke and under the gentle touch of her hands she felt Tina's body relax.

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W ff, 4.2 S i we F 'P N , x r 1 .fl TINA The wind blew the snow around her ankles as she hurried on through the night. It had been a long, hard day and her legs ached with every step she took. She thought hack to the little faces looking up at her, their eyes big and afraid. Wliyf did those so young have to know the hard and some- times merciless world so soon. Joan had been working at the Children's Mental Hospital for six months and every night she went home with that same thought. She wanted to help them yet sometimes there seemed that there was nothing she could do. Tonight her feeling of depression was much worse and she knew the reason. Her thoughts wandered back to the hospital. Miss Nelsonf' she heard her name being called over the address system, please report to Doctor Phillips immediatelyf' Joan hurried down the spacious white corridor and through the re- volving doors into the office building. That was how her day began. Joan didn't think anything of her call that morning because whenever a new case came in Doctor Phillips usually called Joan to take the child to his or her room. Yes, Doctor Phillips, Joan said as she walked into his office. The doctor was working and he looked up when Joan spoke.

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This was the first of many mornings .Ioan went in to wake Tina. Her love for the little girl grew until finally she could hardly bare to look into Tina's expressionless eyes. Joan's love and pity were so deep that one day she asked Doctor Phillips if she could talk to him. I know how you feel Joanf' Doctor Phillips said, 'fbut I don't know what I can say to you. But she hasnit even smiled, Doctorg not once has she said a word, .Ioan replied, her eyes filling with tears. NI think it would be best if you had a vacation, Joan, suggested Doc- tor Phillips, it would take your mind off Tina and maybe she will have improved when you come back? ' Taking Doctor Phillips' advice .Ioan went on a vacation. Hardly a day passed as she was lying on the sun-drenched beach that she didn't think of Tina. Finally her vacation was over and she was back in her apartment thinking about whether or not she could stand walking into the room and waiting in vain for some sign of recognition from the little girl she had grown to love so much. Before she went to Tina's room Joan went to see Doctor Phillips. 'Tm sorry, Joan, but we haven't made any progress and being honest with you, Tina is much worse. She won't eat and will not sleep without sedativesf' .Ioan hesitated, her hand shook as she placed it on the door knob. She opened the door softly. Tina was awake and staring at the ceiling. As Joan walked across the room sl1e thought the child was listening but sl1e couldn't be sure. Hello, Tinaj' she said hesitantly. Slowly the child's face broke into a smile. I thought you had left mej, she said. Joan sank down beside Tina and gathered the child in her arms. Tears of happiness streamed down her cheeks as the little arms tightened around her neck. MARILYN COSMAN, '59