FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Disability History Behind BullStreet District
People, Not Patients: An online digital history exhibit about the lives lived at the South Carolina State Hospital by Able South Carolina & Historic Columbia
Columbia, SC- March 5, 2024- There is still much to learn and much to share about our disabled community that was impacted by the South Carolina State Hospital, also commonly known as Bull Street. In pursuit of telling these stories and ensuring that these lives are not forgotten, a first-of-its-kind digital history exhibit focused on the lives lived at Bull Street has been developed.
The digital exhibit project titled “People, Not Patients,” developed by Able South Carolina (Able SC) in collaboration with Historic Columbia, highlights the lives of some of those first institutionalized in the South Carolina State Hospital on Bull Street. What were their dreams? Who were their children or family? What can we do to highlight these are people, not patients? The initial set of stories covers residents of the original asylum and is just the beginning of the many stories of the lives lived before, during, and after institutionalization.
While this project aims to shed light on the historical injustice of institutionalization, we also must highlight our ongoing advocacy effort to combat it via Able SC’s support for legislative measures like S.915, the “Public Health/Agency Restructuring Bill,” which contains an amendment to prioritize community integration for people with disabilities. Kimberly Tissot, Able SC’s president and CEO, expressed the vision behind this initiative: “Our vision is to create a South Carolina that is a national model of equity and inclusion for all people with disabilities. This includes illuminating the truth of our painful past to develop a brighter future.”
Follow the link below to read Able SC’s introduction, People Lived at Bull Street, follow the stories collected, and consider how we can memorialize the people and the history of Bull Street.
View the People, Not Patients Collection
Able SC’s vision is to create a South Carolina that is a national model of equity and inclusion for all people with disabilities. This includes illuminating the truth of our painful past to develop a brighter future. The organization wants people with disabilities to be a part of that vision. Past residents, workers, and families impacted by the former state institution are invited to contact advocacy@able-sc.org or call 1-800-681-6805. For those interested in supporting the vision, please consider giving to Able SC to help make the dream of telling the complete history a reality. Visit www.able-sc.org/donate to arrange a gift.