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Monday, October 27, 2003
Good Samaritans to the mentally disabled
By Chinggay V.Utzurrum
THE Congregation of the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was founded in Ciempozuelos (Madrid, Spain) in 1881 by St. Benedict Menni, a priest of the Order of St.John, together with Maria Josefa Recio and Maria Augustias Gimenez.
Their mission: the care of persons suffering from mental disorder, combining two fundamental criteria: charity and science.
The Congregation, at present, is found in 24 countries in Europe, America, Africa and Asia. In the Philippines too, and in Cebu in particular.
Named the Maria Josefa Recio Therapeutic Center, it is located in Purok III, Barangay San Jose, Cebu city, and is run by the Hospitaller Sisters. They are assisted by a professional staff: a psychiatrist, occupational therapist, social worker and a nurse.
Very recently, the Hospitaller community worldwide had reason to rejoice. The congregation was chosen from among 18 candidates in 12 countries for the "Geneva Prize for Human Rights in Psychiatry ".
The Geneva Prize aims to recompense an individual, organization or institution for exceptional achievement in regional, national or international levels, for the following: the promotion of equity and humane treatment given to persons with psychiatric problems, the lessening of negative discrimination towards the mentally sick, the defense of human rights of the mentally sick, etc."
In so many words, the award, known for its prestige, focuses on the acceptance of these mentally-incapacitated persons into the mainstream of society. After all, they are not suffering from a communicable disease. The impairment is only a chemical deficiency and is after all, curable and controllable. Just like diabetes, arthritis or hypertension. To celebrate the distinct honor of the award and to inaugurate the Maria Josefa Recio Therapeutic Center, the Hospitaller Sisters held an open house and thanksgiving mass, with patients, parents and guests sitting side by side.
Beside me was a patient, who seemed and looked perfectly normal. She even greeted me with a "Good afternoon, Ma'am!" Now you know what I mean! Incidentally, the criteria for admission are: patient must be between 15-60 years old; male or female; must be recuperating/mentally-ill patient; should be manageable and cooperative; must live with family or with a responsible caregiver within Cebu.
Call the Center for details: tel. nos. 345-5470 or 345-5471.
(October 27, 2003 issue)
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