the ride to treatment…
Do the mental health and legal systems save her, keep her safe?
Huge family fight, screamed accusations. 22 year old daughter flees to the bathroom, locks it. Pissed off father calls 911 saying his daughter is suicidal.
She showers, wants to be left alone. Dad turns off the housewater. Police and EMTs breach the door. She covers herself with a towel.
EMTs want her to go with them to the ambulance. She wants to put clothes on first. They say no. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
Given her history of being physically and sexually abused, young woman flips out when her elbows are grabbed. Lashes out, kicks, screams, is restrained. Towel slips, modesty lost. Intramuscular injection of antipsychotic with anxyolitic.
It hits her hard. She collapses. Is lifted, strapped to a gurney, rolled outside, still with only a towel. A blanket is added. She is put into the ambulance.
On the ride she closes her eyes. Opens them when she is being groped by technician. Drug paralysis, can’t scream, can’t struggle.
In the hospital, overmedicated. Feels like a zombie.
On discharge, stops her meds. Leaves home. Goes to community college. Becomes a medical technician.
Can not find a lawyer to take her case.
Later, she seeks counseling and medication treatment on her own terms.
She still does not talk to her father.
~ Wry Welwood
1st of June, 2021
Written in response to J.D. Harms’ Saturday Word Prompt in Scrittura:
explanation.