Disability in the United Kingdom, Part 2.

Shifting Perspectives: Disability in 18th and 19th Century England.

Fresh perspectives in the 18th century challenged the conventional beliefs that linked madness and disability to divine messages from God or astrology. The paradigm shifted as what madness ceased to be viewed as possession of the soul; instead, it was recognised and seen as the loss of reason, a condition that could be restored with appropriate treatment. Disabled people were no longer seen as recipients of divine messages but rather as those who had suffered misfortunes and were deserving of charity.

Support for disabled people became an individual's Christian and civic duty rather than the responsibility of the state. While the parish might offer poor relief, it was only extended to those who were both destitute and disabled. Life for disabled people in society mirrored the harshness experienced by their non-disabled counterparts.

Amid the rapid expansion of London as a global city in the 18th century, grand new hospitals were established to showcase wealth and power. The Royal Bethlehem Asylum, followed by the Royal Chelsea and Greenwich hospitals for disabled soldiers and sailors, exemplified this trend.

Reacting against the ostentatious displays of wealth, a voluntary asylum movement emerged. The Quakers in York established the York Retreat, advocating for modest and gentle asylum regimes in contrast to the grandeur of institutional buildings.

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The 19th Century: The Growth of Asylums and New Workhouses

Fast forward to the 19th century, a time marked by significant social and cultural changes, driven by the industrial revolution. Towns, factories, railways, and mills rapidly replaced ancient fields and villages, altering the English landscape. This era saw the rise of buildings designed specifically for disabled people, with the construction of county pauper lunatic asylums dominating the views outside many towns and cities.

New workhouses emerged following the 1834 Poor Law Act, totalling 350 new workhouses built approximately every 20 miles. Unlike their more humane predecessors, these new workhouses were designed to root out 'shirkers and scroungers,' serving as miserable places with Spartan conditions and harsh work regimes. Disabled and mentally ill individuals, shunned by the able-bodied poor, found themselves relocated to these institutions.

As the 19th century progressed, the number of people in institutions increased significantly. Over 100,000 'idiots and lunatics' resided in 120 county pauper asylums, with an additional 10,000 in workhouses. Society's shift in thinking, driven by the fear of fostering laziness through financial relief at home, led to the destitute being directed to the workhouse—a place no one wished to stay for long.

A new class of medical professionals, the 'alienists' (later known as 'psychiatrists'), emerged during this time. Initially optimistic about the therapeutic potential of asylums, they later became more pessimistic, viewing most patients as 'incurable.' The asylums came to house 'chronic' and dangerous cases, with many inmates spending their lives within these institutions.

Living with Disability: Continuity and Change.

Despite the proliferation of institutions, people with disabilities in the 18th and 19th centuries still maintained a presence in their communities. Special schools and charitable organizations for disabled individuals were established to provide support and education.

While some resorted to begging on the streets, others achieved notable success. The blind Henry Fawcett, for instance, became Postmaster General in 1880. Additionally, young disabled individuals formed self-help groups like the Guild of the Brave Poor Things, symbolized by a coat of arms featuring a crossed sword and crutch.

In summary, the 18th and 19th centuries in England witnessed a dynamic shift in perspectives toward disability, from the changing ideas in the 18th century to the growth of asylums and workhouses in the 19th century. The lives of disabled individuals were shaped by evolving societal attitudes, institutional developments, and the ongoing struggle for inclusion and recognition.