<Begin Segment 14>

[Ed. note: This transcript has been edited by the narrator]

VY: So where did you go?

YY: A friend of mine (was also) leaving her job (from a state psychiatric hospital and) she felt (needed a break). We both decided (on a trip) to New York. But as we were looking through our journal, we saw a lot of openings for jobs, and we thought, well, if we went for a year, we'll see a lot more (on) the weekends or during vacation. And so we decided that's what we'll do.

VY: So you decided to move there?

YY: Hmm?

VY: So you decided to move there and work.

YY: Yes.

VY: And kind of tour on the weekends?

YY: It was in 1960, we went, but we stayed a little longer.

VY: Where did you work?

YY: Hmm?

VY: Where did you work?

YY: Where did we live?

VY: Well, yes, actually, where did you live?

YY: In Manhattan.

VY: And where did you work?

YY: At the Bellevue Hospital, in a psychiatric nursery.

VY: What was that like?

YY: Hmm?

VY: What was that like?

YY: It was difficult for these children who had no family, (and) most of them didn't have family. They (may have been left on) doorsteps (or rejected in other ways, so) they were receptive to attention, and (limits being set when they lose control). The youngest was eighteen months, and the oldest was about six. We tried to make it more home-like and give them some experiences, pre-learning activities and having meals together (at a) round table with other children. So it was a different experience.

VY: How long were you there?

YY: I was there from '60 to '63, so I guess three, I was there about three years.

<End Segment 14> - Copyright © 2021 Densho. All Rights Reserved.