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Dottoré!

Facing The Shame, Sharing The Blame

Our Neapolitan psychiatrist is faced with the inadequacy of the Italian health system, and a mother’s helplessness.

Close up photo of someone embroidering

"Although she’s a skilled and sought-after embroiderer, she no longer works..."

Mariateresa Fichele

I’ve been seeing Maria about her depression for a year now. Although she’s a skilled and sought-after embroiderer, she no longer works. I have often pressed her on this topic, but she's always been very reticent. Today, she reacted:

Dottoré, what do you want me to tell you — that my daughter shits on herself?”

“But Maria, isn't your daughter 15?”

“Yes, but she is ritardata. She can’t walk well, she doesn't talk, and she has to wear a diaper.”

“And why have you never told me this?”

“Because last year, the social services wanted to take her away from me because I didn’t send her to school anymore, it was her first year of high school. They said school is still compulsory at that age, and if I should keep sending her there. As long as she was in middle school, there was a bus that would take her — and if she soiled herself, a worker would clean her up.

In high school, no. I have to take her and pick her up, and if she gets dirty, I have to go and clean her up. They said that for kids her age, the municipality only offers a support teacher, and otherwise we family members have to deal with it.

That's why I’ve stopped working. I receive the “citizens’ income” for now. I don’t know how we will get by if they get rid of it. I never told you that because I am ashamed.”

“I’m ashamed too, Maria.”

“And what do you have to do with it?”

“I have something to do with it. We all have something to do with it.”

____________________________

Learn more about Worldcrunch's exclusive Dottoré! series here.

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Italy

The Benefits Of "Buongiorno"

Our Naples-based psychiatrist reflects on her morning walk to work, as she passes by people who simply want to see a friendly smile.

A woman looks down from her balcony in Naples

Ciro Pipoli/Instagram
Mariateresa Fichele

In Naples, lonely people leave their homes early in the morning. You can tell they're lonely by the look in their eyes. Mostly men, often walking a dog, typically mixed breeds that look as scruffy as their owners. You see them heading to the coffee bar, chatting with the newsstand owner, buying cigarettes, timidly interacting with each another.

This morning as I was going to work, I tried to put myself in their shoes. I woke up tired and moody, but as soon as I left the building, I felt compelled, like every day, to say to dozens of "buongiorno!" (good morning!) and smile in return just as many times.

Keep reading...Show less
Support Worldcrunch
We are grateful for reader support to continue our unique mission of delivering in English the best international journalism, regardless of language or geography. Click here to contribute whatever you can. Merci!
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