Zoe Enya McCormack: Photoessay for DisabilityIsntADirtyWord Campaign
This photo essay highlights the realities of psychiatric inpatient ‘care’ in Ireland from admission to discharge.
I invite you to view the experience of psychiatric inpatient care from my eyes and witness with me how it removes me from society, removes me of my belongings and identity, and forces me into a person of shame ‘for my own safety’, in an environment devoid of nurturance.
Image 1: title slide with grey background and black text reading Inpatient a photo essay by Zoe McCormack
Image 2: a view of the waiting room with two white runners on the ground surrounded by tissue and two blue chairs
Image 3: a photo of my yellow runners with the laces removed
Image 4: a view of the wall and my red vans as I lie on top of the bed
Image 5: a view of the wall and my slippers as I lie on top of the bed
Image 6: a view of the wall and my socks as I lie on top of the bed
Image 7: a view of the skylight in the main ward
Image 8: a view of the outside space inside the main ward, there is a bench and some potted flowers on a concrete floor
Image 9: a nighttime view of the outside space in the main ward, it is dark and the windows to the ward are lit up.
Image 10: a view of the outside space in the high support unit, I am wearing slippers, the floor is concrete and there is a caged fence in front of me.
Image 11: I am sitting on the ground in the high support unit wearing slippers and an orange refractory gown. My legs are hairy and I am not wearing socks.
Image 12: a photo of a drawing I did after a week in the refractory gown. I am standing in front of a window holding my refractory blanket, I am in the refractory gown, below the radiator is my bra on the floor.
Image 13: a photo of my hand holding the pills I have been prescribed to take daily. There are 3 blue capsules, 3 round orange pills, and one oval shaped white pill.
Image 14: a black and white photo of me sitting on my windowsill at home. My cat is on the couch looking up at me.
Image 15: background is grey and closing text in black reads @zoeenya22