He Died at a School for Disabled People. Decades Later,
His Brother Sought Answers.
The Walter E. Fernald State School in Waltham, Massachusetts was a former public institution for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, one of many that existed across the country at the peak of its popularity in the mid-20th century. David Scott’s brother John, born with spina bifida, was admitted at 18 days old and died there at 17, leaving David (only seven at the time) with few memories of him. Years later, after David’s youngest son was born with cerebral palsy, he began re-examining John’s life and death at Fernald. With the help of researcher Alex Green, David obtained John’s long-buried files, which revealed a history of systemic mistreatment and mishandling of records, still inaccessible to many families of residents today.
The New York Times
Reporter: Sonia A. Rao
Photo Editor: Stephen Reiss
An abandoned building of Walter E. Fernald State School, which closed in 2014.
John Scott had a severe form of spina bifida. He was 18 days old when he was admitted to the Walter E. Fernald State School in Waltham, Massachusetts. David Scott keeps his brother's photos in an old family album.
David Scott goes through his brother John's records at the Walter E. Fernald State School.
David Scott stands by John Scott's grave, number 154, at the Metfern Cemetery in Waltham, Massachusetts. Unidentified graves are marked with a "C" for Catholic, "P" for Protestant, followed by a number.
The Metfern Cemetery, which was shared by the Metropolitan State Hospital and the Walter E. Fernald State School.
Susan Weiner taught at the Fernald School and remembered John as “a ray of sunshine”.
David Scott's son Michael petting their dog Bella. Michael was born with cerebral palsy, which sparked David’s curiosity to learn more about his brother John.
Massachusetts State Representative Sean Garballey speaking with Alex Green in his office at the Massachusetts State House. Green has been working with Garballey to remove legal barriers that prevent families of the Fernald School’s residents to gain access to old records.
Alex Green poses for a portrait with a slide found on the grounds of the Walter E. Fernald State School after its closing.
Alex Green filing through a box of records from the Walter E. Fernald State School, at the Massachusetts State Archives in Boston.
David Scott at the Metfern Cemetery.