Patricia Hamilton

541 Days Road, Kingston, ON K7M3R8, CA

The Reclamation Project: The Value of Living Life at the Helm

Stories of life in an institution and the voices that closed them

Patricia "Teedie" Hamilton

Patricia Hamilton, called Teedie by everyone that knew her, was born in 1924 with severe spastic cerebral palsy. She was the 3rd of 10 children – 5 boys and 5 girls.

Teedie’s father, Dr. William Gordon Hamilton, was the doctor in the village of Westport, Ontario. Her mother, Caroline, was a local schoolteacher. They were highly regarded by the friendly Westport community and were active members of the local Catholic church. Doctor Hamilton was known for riding his buggy around the community, doing house calls to anyone who required his services whether they could afford it or not. The family would often have bags of potatoes, or other forms of barter, dropped at their door.

By the time Teedie was born, the Hamilton’s had already lost 5 babies within their first year of life, due to Spina Bifida. When Teedie was born with cerebral palsy, her parents never once considered placing her in an institution. Teedie was to remain at home and to be raised no differently than her siblings.

Every night, Dr. Hamilton would carry his daughter up the stairs to bed. One evening, a local woman who was visiting them asked the Hamilton’s how they managed with such a burden. They expressed to her that, not only was Teedie not a burden, but they truly believed that having and raising her was indeed a privilege. This belief was shared by everyone that knew Teedie. She was extremely loved and cared for by her many siblings. For most of the year, they would take Teedie to school in her wheelchair. When the snow was too deep, Teedie would have to stay home.

Teedie learned at a young age to take care of herself. In spite of her spastic cerebral palsy, she taught herself how to knit. This was an incredible feat for Teedie and she would produce beautiful works, which she gifted to her family and friends. Everyone was thrilled to receive Teedie’s gifts as they were made with such love.

Teedie was well loved and respected by the entire Westport community. Although her teenage years were a bit difficult, as they were not the same as her siblings, Teedie went on to have many friends and was very involved in her community and her church. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League and even became the president.

Teedie remained in her family home for as long as she was able. After her parents passed away, Teedie lived by herself. She had a woman come to help her with her meals and cleaning, but she did everything else for herself. She would use a board to scoot herself from her bed to her wheelchair and took care of her own personal needs.

Teedie had a very active social life and was always visited by her many friends and her large extended family. Her niece, Caroline worked in an institution for people with intellectual disabilities, and saw many people like Teedie whose parents didn’t keep them at home. Caroline says that she simply could not imagine how different Teedie’s life would have been, had she been placed in an institution during that era. The entire family could not imagine what it would have been like to not have Teedie in their lives. They can’t imagine what it would have been like to not have access to Teedie’s wise counsel when they had problems in their lives. Caroline says that it truly is a privilege to have Teedie in her life.

At the age of 95, Teedie now lives in a long-term care facility in Kingston, ON. Caroline attends Mass with her every Sunday. Teedie’s family comes from far and wide to visit her. Years ago, Teedie and her sisters joined in a documentary to celebrate Teedie as the oldest living person with cerebral palsy in all of Canada. She is certain that this still stands true today.