An autistic woman with a learning disability, known as Kasibba, has been freed after enduring 45 years of wrongful confinement in a mental health hospital. Her ordeal began at the tender age of seven. Originally from Sierra Leone, she was given the name Kasibba by local authorities to protect her identity. Deprived of family support and non-verbal, Kasibba spent much of her life in long-term segregation, often described by hospital staff as "dangerous" and an "eye-gouger."
Her plight came to light when a clinical psychologist, Dr. Patsie Staite, discovered her case in 2013. Dr. Staite embarked on a nine-year battle to secure Kasibba's release, culminating in a comprehensive report that changed the course of Kasibba's life.
Dr. Staite's 50-page report to Camden Council concluded that Kasibba posed no danger and was fit to live within the community. This pivotal document, alongside a Court of Protection ruling, eventually led to Kasibba's release. Now residing in the community, she receives care from support workers who communicate with her through gentle touches, gestures, and clear language. Her care manager describes her as "a beautiful human being" with an incredible sense of humor.
"She has the most amazing sense of humour. She's a beautiful human being," – Kasibba's care manager
Despite being locked up for decades, there was a moment when Kasibba could have been freed earlier. At 19, during a fire alarm evacuation, she was not released with the others. The incident further entrenched the already damaging perception of her as "dangerous."
"That was how the incident was talked about ever since, 'she's an eye gouger and she caused so much harm to this other person'," – Dr Staite
Dr. Staite's advocacy played a crucial role in altering this narrative. Her determination revealed the truth about Kasibba's condition and the environment that contributed to misconceptions about her behavior.
"This is not an eye-gouger, you know." – Kasibba's care manager
Kasibba's release spotlights broader systemic issues within mental health care for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. The NHS mental health trust responsible for her care maintained that their service quality remained unquestioned and highlighted its outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission.
In response to cases like Kasibba's, the government has committed to transitioning more individuals with learning disabilities and autism into community-based care settings. However, these targets remain unmet.
In 2011, a BBC investigation exposed criminal abuse at Winterbourne View private hospital, prompting widespread reform discussions. Yet, change has been slow. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the ongoing challenge of removing disabled individuals from mental health hospitals.
"She shouldn't have experienced what she did." – Jess McGregor
The impending Mental Health Bill seeks to address this by preventing the detention of autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities without a mental health condition in England and Wales for treatment purposes.
Kasibba's story serves as a poignant reminder of what can happen when systems fail vulnerable individuals. It underscores the importance of advocacy, reform, and community integration for people with disabilities.
Leave a Reply