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Collaborative life history: different experiences of spending time in an institution in Iceland
- Authors:
- HREINSDOTTIR Eyglo Ebba, STEFANSDOTTIR Guorun
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(2), June 2010, pp.103-109.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article describes a life history research project based on cooperation between two women, Eygló Ebba Hreinsdóttir and Gudrun Stefansdottir. It is about the time they spent together in an institution in Iceland in the 1970s, one as a resident and the other as a member of staff. Ebba moved to the institution in 1969 when she was 19 years old. Gudrun started to work at the same institution a few years later when she was 16 years old as a summer girl. After Ebba moved from the institution, they did not have contact for many years, but since 2003 they have worked closely together on this project. The project used photographs from the institution that helped them to recall their memories. The article has two main objectives. The first objective is to reflect on the research cooperation between the two women, how it started and how it has influenced them. The second objective is to reflect on their different experiences. In particular, the article describes the mixed feelings that Ebba has about her life in the institution. Bad memories are mostly connected to the label ?mentally retarded? and memories of being lonely, isolated, angry and sad. However, through participating in this life history project, she has found out it is important to remember the good times also, and that has helped her to forgive and move on.