In this last sequence, filmed in 2007, Howard Mitchell is talking to Margaret Scally about her life in Glasgow. He asks her about her daily life and work and about her memories of living at Lennox Castle. From what she says, all that part of her life is a long way away now.
While she was living and being cared for in Lennox Castle, Margaret and the other residents could scarcely be said to be part of wider society. She lived a segregated life and one that was unusual for the way it was controlled and limited.
By 2007 Margaret sounds as if things are very different. She talks about a life that seems to be much more one that she has chosen.
Now watch the video. From being excluded, would you say that Margaret Scally is now included? That she?s now a citizen of society?
As you listen, jot down anything she says that makes her sound like an ordinary citizen. You might find it helpful to look back at the headings under ‘What matters most? that you filled in during Activities 13 and 15.
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The way Margaret Scally describes her life after Lennox Castle sounds as if she?s achieved what she wanted for herself. She?s living on her own, in her own flat. She can get up when she wants, buy her own breakfast, phone her friends when she?s lonely but be on her own when she wants. She pays her bills and goes out to bingo with her friends. Now she chooses the colour of her furniture; in Lennox Castle she couldn?t even choose what clothes to wear.
Apart from these changes in her own personal life, Margaret is also part of things going on locally. For one thing, she has a job at Partick Thistle Football Club. She was wearing her security woman?s uniform when she was interviewed. As well as that, she mentions education; going to computer classes.
Margaret still has support; the people she pays to help her with housework come from ‘the project?. They come when she phones and she pays them, which all sounds very different from the relationships between staff and residents at Lennox Castle.
So, judged on what she says about how she exercises choice and independence in her life it seems that Margaret really has moved from care to citizenship.
In this activity you?ve seen what life is like for Lesley Learmonth and Margaret Scally, outside and after Lennox Castle. You?ve seen how pressures for change led to new policies, which emphasised inclusiveness, independence and choice for people with learning disability. You also heard from Donna Thompson who supports people in making choices and transitions.
Residential care is not a thing of the past, however. You also saw that there is still a strong commitment among some people towards collective provision and that care for people with learning disabilities should include an element of protection and shelter from society. This doesn?t sound so far from the ideals and philosophy of the members of Glasgow Corporation when they set up Lennox Castle in 1936. They were certain that they were ahead of their time. Perhaps the difference is that today?s providers have learned to be a little less confident about their own beliefs and more aware of the feelings and preferences of those they are supporting.
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