The interconnectedness of MTS and all state-run institutions to Connecticut’s hospitals is one of the few reasons why some residents were able to receive any care whatsoever. If a resident experienced a symptom or illness where they could not be treated at MTS, they were often sent to Windham Hospital, or any other in the state that would accept them. The beginning of the 1980’s saw the relationship between MTS and Windham Hospital begin to be strained. Dr. William Ellzey, a physician at Windham, felt attacked by concerns brought to him by Superintendent MacNamara regarding the treatment of MTS clients at the hospital brought to him by an unknown source. MacNamara, concerned with the way his residents were being treated, offered points of criticism to the hospital. Dr. Ellzey writes of the ‘rumors’ as simply hearsay that were blown out of proportion.

In an allusive passage, Dr. Ellzey expresses ways in which he would not pass judgements on rumors he has heard of the mistreatment of clients at MTS, nor resort to contacting “The Connecticut Protection and Advocacy Office.” He then hopes that if his staff had evidence that residents were mistreated, they’d contact MacNamara’s office first, rather than filing for an investigation. As a final silencing point, Dr. Ellzey stresses how the kindness of Windham Hospital has been unmatched over the years, accepting MTS clients when no one else would.

To investigate the culture of abuse amongst disabled folks and medical practitioners, this exchange serves as a prime example as to why this abuse persists. The “old boy” network and need to safeguard abusers ran rampant across institutions and hospitals alike—making it even harder for underserved and marginalized identities to receive proper care that is not coated in selfish gains or privileged protection. Abuse, negligence, and cover ups were commonplace across Connecticut. It is only when truths were unveiled through legal documentation that these moments and practices would be brought to light.