Date of birth -11.05.1959

Psycho-neurological institution is the highest measure of social protection.

Robinson Crusoe spent 28 years on the island. But after visiting psycho-neurological institutions, the story of Robinson does not seem fantastic.

Ivan Ivanovich Ivanchenko lives in a small ward on the first floor of the Kirovsky Home for the Invalids in the Zapozizhzhia region. Most people think that in such places there are only people with the most serious disorders of the psyche and intellect. But, having talked with Ivan Ivanovich, you are surprised at how a person with a intact intellect and a phenomenal memory could spend 43 years in psycho-neurological institutions.

Here is the life story that Ivan Ivanovich told me in the smallest detail:

«I was born on Monday, May 11, 1959, in the village of Korneevka, Veselovsky district, Zapozizhzhia region. When I was 3 years old, my mother brought me to a sanatorium in Zapozizhzhia, and with the words: “Vanya, I’ll come right now!” - disappeared. In the sanatorium, where I stayed for 3 years, I remember the head nurse Maria Sidorovna. From 6 to 9 years old I lived in a sanatorium in Donetsk. It was better there than in Zapozizhzhia - they were engaged in with me, and sometimes my grandmother came and took me home. After the Donetsk sanatorium, I lived at home with my grandmother for 3 years.

On September 3, 1971, a car came for me and took me to an orphanage in the village. Kalinovka. There I immediately realized that nothing good awaits me in this place. I lived in a room with children who did not understand anything at all! There was no one to talk to. At first, the staff thought that I didn’t understand anything either, but then they took a closer look and began to say: “You don’t have a head, but a house of councils!”. After all, I memorized absolutely everything that they told me - dates, birthdays, names and patronymics.

In 1976 I was transferred to an adult psycho-neurological institution in Kirovo. They brought it and put it on the floor in the hallway. Divide and took everything. They gave a mattress with straw, as everyone "urinate" There was no pot, no vessel, no can to go to the toilet.

- We have everyone on their own! - shouted the nannies.

- And I will not go under myself! - I answered.

- If you are so smart, why did you come to us?

- Am I guilty, did I ask to be brought to you?

- If you hit - then you're a fool!

My mother visited me for the first time in June 1983. She brought a bottle of kefir and 500 g of sweets. "Why didn't you bring sausages? I'm already tired of all this psycho-neurological institution food!"

Then my mother came in 1984 - she brought 60 packs of "Prima", and the last time I saw her was on December 31, 1986. Now she lives in Dniprorudny, but I don't need her anymore.

For 25 years from 1976 to 2011, I practically did not leave Kirovo. The most vivid event during this time was a trip to my cousins in September 1989. I stayed at their house for five whole days, I liked it so much! And they asked me: "How do you like it? How do you like it? (In the psycho-neurological institution is meant)". And I answered: "If you are in my place, you will understand!"

What do I do in my free time? I watch movies, concerts on TV… My favorite singers are Eduard Khil, Muslim Magomayev, Edita Piekha.

What do I dream about? Work and earn a pension. In the early 2000s, I was made incapacitated. Why? I'm an ordinary person, but I can't move on my own. So why am I deprived of almost all rights?

I also dream of going outside the psycho-neurological institution more often. In 2012 and 2013, there were kind people Alexander Nikolaevich and Igor Nikolaevich who took me several times to Orekhov and Zapozizhzhia. I had not seen the city for many years before - and then I immediately managed to visit the Church on Angolenko, on Fr. Khortitsa, near the Zapozizhzhia Oak and in the park near the Rainbow.

Returning home from Kirovo, I reflected on the fate of this man. I am not a doctor, not a psychiatrist, but it seemed to me that Ivan Ivanovich is a completely adequate person, in some ways even more developed than many “normal” people. Being in psycho-neurological institutions for decades, he keeps in his memory the smallest details of events, the names of all the people with whom he had a chance to talk.

By the will of fate, he was born in a country in which a person can be recognized as incapable only because he cannot move independently. In developed countries, such people live active lives, even start families and travel the world. In our country, unfortunately, society is not yet ready to perceive such people as equals.

Despite his difficult fate, Ivan Ivanovich lives in hopes for the best - like all people. And I hope that thanks to this article, Ivan Ivanovich will have some real friends.

Be happy and share your happiness with others!