When I was just 3 years old, I asked my mother why she didn't love me. The question came on an ordinary day, and my young mother nearly collapsed when she heard it. But she wasn't surprised. Though she loved me dearly, she knew that she had not expressed physical affection in the ways that bond mother and child. She made sure I was clean and comfortable and well-fed -- she took pride in the care she gave -- but she was distant: When I was a baby, she did not hold or cuddle me much. As I grew, she did not want me to lay my head on her shoulder or lie next to her in bed or take a sip from her cup. She avoided hugging and kissing me.

So writes Leah Y. Latimer, in her first-person account of her mother's stay in a Washington TB sanatorium in the 1950s. Latimer's essay appears in this week's issue of Washington Post Magazine.

Leah Latimer, a former Post writer and editor, will be online fielding questions and comments, with her mother, Etta Young.

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Beltsville, Md: To Ms. Latimer, thank you for telling your story. I had a similar situation. My mother was quarantined in Eudowood north of Baltimore in the late 1930s. She had a pregnancy aborted after the TB was diagnosed. I wasn't born until 1944 when her doctors permitted her to become pregnant again. To this day I can recall my mother putting a piece of paper on the top of my head and kissing me through it. That's a lot of baggage to carry for 60 years.

Leah Latimer: I have done a little research about the area's other TB facilities. There were 14 sanatoriums for people in DC, Maryland and Virginia. I would love to hear more about your mother's experience and Eudowood. Please contact me at LeahLatimer@comcast.net. (that goes for anyone else with information to share about TB, sanatoriums, local stories). Thanks.

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Washington, DC: Hello Leah,

This is Robert, your classmate at Langdon, Taft and McKinley. Very good article. As we live through an ever changing Washington, DC it is alway interesting to learn about how things were and the events that have shaped our lives. As I think back you were probably even more reserved than myself in our 6th grade class at Langdon. It is good to see that you have done well since. Do you still write regularly for any publication? Take care and much success in your future endeavors.

Robert Dickerson

Leah Latimer: Hi Robert. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I am still fascinated at the history of Washington and "the way we lived" back then. I am not writing regularly for any publication right now, but doing a lot of editing, freelance writing projects.

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Glenn Dale, Md.: Leah,

Great story, and it answered many questions I had about those old scary-looking buildings on Glenn Dale Road. Although the asylum stories weren't true, your mom's story was just as frightening. Thanks to you and to her for sharing it.

Leah Latimer: You're welcome. I've lived 10 minutes away from Glenn Dale for the past 18 years and never saw it until this year.

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Washington, DC: Ms. Latimer, i did not read the whole artical but reconized Glen Dale just from the photo on the cover. this is not an attempt to steal any of your thunder but there is also another story from Glen Dale. my mother was one of the nurse's there. she worked there for about thirty years. i also visited the hospital there and met some of the some of the people there. i remember the first mom came home after one of patince died. she cried most of that night. even though she explained i did not truly understand at that time. i was a young teenager then..

Leah Latimer: My hope was that I would hear from people with stories about Glenn Dale and other sanatoriums, experiences with TB. Please contact me if you care to at LeahLatimer@comcast.net

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Washington, DC: I know Dollye Herndon and want to say you are an amazing family! I can't believe what your beautiful mother had to endure, especially considering the fact that she did not have TB. I was touched by your story and hope you experienced some cartharsis in writing this article.

Leah Latimer: Yes, Aunt Doll was very helpful in recalling the Glenn Dale area. I expect to hear from many people who know my relatives. There were so many of us! My mother is here if anyone has a question for her.

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Fairfax, Va: Thanks for writing such a wonderful, but profoundly sad story. I always admired your insights as a reporter, but now I have renewed respect for you and your mother for having the courage to tell this story.

Leah Latimer: Lovely comments. Thanks. Do I know you?

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Darnestown, Md: Hello Leah & Etta;

I was moved and touched by your story. What a horrible nightmare. I would love to see the two of you write a novel based on your experiences. It would make a wonderful and meaningful full length feature film (like "Fried Green Tomatoes" or "Driving Miss Daisy"). These pieces of American history should be remembered. My heart goes out to you both. I was mesmerized by your story of strength and love. Thank you for letting us in on your lives.

Jill Gershen

Leah Latimer: One thing that is important to me is telling the stories of people who hardly get acknowledged in our society. I keep seeing movies about the experiences of would-be athletes, for example, or an underdog on a sports team. Yet you will rarely see serious media treatment of certain groups of people, particularly Black women of my mother's generation. Yes, I would like to see these kinds of stories get more exposure, because they have historic value, tell us much about the human condition, and, frankly, are pretty dramatic and just good storytelling. Thanks for your encouragement.

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Washington, D. C.: Hey Leah,

I enjoyed your article. I was Cameron's teacher at Capitol Hill Day. Now I am with Howard U teaching writing and research skills to international students. So I have a question about the process of writing this article. Did you find out all the details about TB, its treatment among white and black populations.... through oral sources or written sources? How long was the research process?

Leah Latimer: I am doing research even now, to tell you the truth. Much of my resources were from local newspaper archives, and documents from the old DC Health Department. Plus, a few people who worked at Glenn Dale long ago.

As for the writing process, I had a basic narrative structure, and then, as I learned more, dropped things in as appropriate. I had to restructure in some places. It usually doesn't happen that way. Usually, you finish researching and then write.

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Arlington, Va: Hi Leah. Hi Aunt Frank. What an awesome article!! I've often heard bits and pieces of the story but reading the article in its entirety truly reflected the strength of our family. I am so proud of the both of you.

Lots of love, Jan.

Leah Latimer: Thanks, I was wondering if any family members who log on.

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Lexington, Ky.: It seems odd that the doctors didn't do more tests on your mom before sending her to the san. In the 50s and 60s we lived in a very different world. Can TB be detected in a blood test?

Leah Latimer: Something that didn't get into the story was the fact that one of Glenn Dale's missions was research. I still want to know more about how that impacted this story/ my mother's experience. TB is usually detective by a sputum test or by the skin prick in the arm.

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Charlottesville, Va: I grew up in Southampton County and graduated from Southampton County Training School '62. What was your mother's maiden name? Do you have family there now?

Thank you for sharing your story.

Joyce Turner Lewis

Leah Latimer: Etta Frances Stephens Young of Drewyville, Va. Class of '47. Still have family around Emporia.

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Washington, DC: I don't have a question, just a comment. Thank you for delving into a little known topic and for writing such a well researched, heartfelt story. Reading it brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful that despite all that was taken from the two of you, you've still managed to forge a strong bond.

Leah Latimer: I wish I could have found some funny bits so that the story wouldn't be so sad. I was amused by my aunt's comment about me as a baby, though. "She's a cute little thing, but kinda dark."

That goes back to the days of color consciousness among Black people!

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Clarksville, Md: Good afternoon. I read the article and it was very moving. I know that time is the greatest of all healers, but I hope that through writing this article, it has healed a little bit of the relationship between you and your mother. Has there been any kind of response from the govt that sent your mother there even though she did not have TB? Hopefully and apology of some sort? They owe your family at least that. Good luck and wish you the best.

Leah Latimer: I found an assistant administrator. He had nothing to do with the medical operations. But when I told him (now 81 years old) about the story, he said, "Someone was there who didn't have TB? Oh No."

That's it.

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Silver Spring, Md: I read your article this morning.

What happened was very unjust, but not unique across human history!

I am struck by the bravery of your father in going and getting your mother in the face of threats and uncertainty. I think he was really a hero and I hope he knew that.

Leah Latimer: That's very nice comment. I don't think he ever realized that.

My mom, who's sitting here, says, he wasn't being a hero. He just wanted me out of there.

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Steubenville, Ohio: A truly wonderful account of your family ordeal with the primitive way in which TB was dealt with as recently as the 1950's. The anguish your mother felt over being separated from her children had to be a most horrible time for her. Thank you for writing this account, it undoubtedly has opened many eyes to that era's attitudes.

Leah Latimer: Hopefully, there are lessons we can learn about how we handle similar issues today. Consider that we may soon face avian flu, for example. How will we handle those who are infectious? Or, if we experience bioterrorism, of some sort.

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Baltimore, Md: Leah: What a tremendous story. My question for you...What motivated you into writing this story at this time? My question for your mom...How does seeing this story in print make you feel? And, what has been the most surprising result of sharing your story been?

Leah Latimer: Mom (Etta): I've felt angry and upset for the last few days, after reading the story. Because I lost a lot of time with my children, when they needed me most.

But I'm glad the story is out, that I've let it out. So other people can know how things can happen to you that you really can't help.

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Bowie, Md: Ms, Latimer,

Thank you for your artitle. My Mom had TB and was at Waverly Hills Sanatorium (Louisvelle KY) in the 50's I was born in Louisville & raised by her Sister. Until recently going over photos I never had one with my Mother holding me as a baby. But I do have photos at the hospital in the day rooms. Thank you very much for your story it hit home.

Leah Latimer: Would love to hear more from you about Waverly. Thanks for commenting.

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Upper Marlboro, Md: Thank you Leah and Mrs. Young for your well-written,very informative article. I,too, have my sarcoidosis horror story. There was no Glenn Dale--only rural Calvert County in 1979 while we lived there. I,too, was pregnant with my younger son. Growing up in a small town in SC made me aware of the horrible TB, lingering consumption, white plague horrors. Having to give several sputum samples per month did not help me. And most of all there were the worries about my unborn and allthe medications I needed. Oh, I was diagnosed with sarcoid but the health depart. insisted that I had to be treated for TB as well. Even today I talk about the sarcoid but I can seldom say "and TB". So little is known about sarcoid even today.Thank you for your courage in sharing your story. When I first met you , Etta, I knew that our hearts were linked, but little did I know that we had shared so much! No matter what our situation it is amazing how somebody has walked the same path before. Sincerely, your sister in Christ, Barbara V Landon MSBUMC. I love you and your lovely family.

Leah Latimer: So many people have followed similar paths.

(Etta): We always talked about things, but never knew...

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Toronto, Canada: What a wonderful story about the courage to survive. I have to go read it again. Thank you for sharing it with us, Leah and Mrs. Young.

The power of touch in a relationship with your children is so vital.... Mrs. Young, how did you re-establish the broken bond with your children, and have they healed fully from losing that part of their relationship with you?

Leah Latimer: Leah: This is the deep part that is still hard for me to think and write about. Maybe n the future.

ETTA: Things can always get better, and we're working on it.

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Eldersburg, Md: Thank you for your extraordinary personal view of the treatment of TB in the U.S. The early treatment of TB, and what families went through during treatment is certainly not well known. Your sensitive and factual article provides a unique insight into a time that has been mostly forgotten. Nancy

Leah Latimer: Nancy, it's true that much of the information about that period is from the perspective of officials, doctors, medical experts, scientists. So it's really important to hear what was happening from the perspective of patients and families, who don't get opportunities to write in medical journals and speak at conferences.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Were you related to Margaret and Laverne Young?and The Hundley's from Southampton County?

Leah Latimer: Margaret Young and LaVerne Young(Kelly). Yes, those are my aunts. I don't know about any Hundley's, but I could ask aunt LaVerne. contact me at LeahLatimer@comcast.net.

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Frederick, Md: My grandfather was a patient at Eudowood. Thank you and your mother very, very much for explaining all of this. I, too, never understood why he never gave us hugs, or even came very close to us, on the few times we were allowed to visit him on the grounds, never inside. I simply thought he was a distant, cold man. This story brought me an understanding I didn't even realize I needed.

Leah Latimer: OOOOh. Even now, I don't think I fully realize how far-reaching this story is, or how many people know this experience. Please contact me if you care to, at LeahLatimer@comcast.net.

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Washington, DC: Mrs. Young, I am profoundly greatful for you sharing this very personal story. My mother was also in a similar situation. How was it that your children were shuffled around between family members? Do you think that if they were all kept in the constant/consistent care of one family member, then they would have been able to cope with this better? And you would have felt a bit less worried as well.

Mrs. Latimer -did you form a special bond with the aunt that cared for you?

Leah Latimer: ETTA: If they all could have been kept together, we would have done that. We didn't have a lot of choices, though.

LEAH: I wonder if in shunning people with TB, people (even family) shunned the children of people with TB. I guess you couldn't blame them. Back then, it was nothing to play with.

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Los Angeles, Calif: Hello and thank you for the wonderful article. I'm wondering about the research aspects of TB "treatment." I'm a black woman whose grandmother was hospitalized for TB in the 1950s. My understanding is that she was declared cured. The family was told to pick her up from the hospital. But when they arrived, they were told doctors had performed surgery, which killed her. When I heard the story, it sounded as though they decided to autopsy her although she had not died. This was in Mississippi.

Leah Latimer: I have some thoughts about this, if you want to contact me off line at the email address already mentioned.

For another project, I did a lot of research on the civil rights era and the South.

But you should know that TB was arrested (they could render the bacteria inactive, but it could reactivate and sicken it's host again). Back then, they didn't have a cure.

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Owings Mills, Md: Ms. Latimer,

Thank you very much for telling this story! I had no previously knowledge of sanatoriums until I came across some photos my grandmother had from the early 1920's of one of her relatives working as a nurse at Piedmont Sanatorium in Virginia. Apparently it was built specifically for blacks with tuberculosis. Unfortunately my grandmother is deceased, therefore I never heard any stories about this relative and her experiences, however it was good to read about your mother's experience so that now I at least have an idea of what that enviroment was like.

Thank you for sharing this very personal story.

Yolanda Young

Leah Latimer: Yes, Piedmont was Virginia's sanatorium for Negroes. It was vastly inferior to Blue Ridge Sanatorium, for whites.

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Great Falls, Va.: I read your article with particular interest. I have been researching the TB facilities in Saranac Lake ans well as the treatments and when they were made available to patients. My father was a patient in the TB hospital and my mother his nurse. Later, she was institutionalized for "mental illness" (incorrect diagnosis) and I grew up without a mother, trying to answer the question why did she leave us? . I would very much like to see the inside of the facility your mother was in to look at some of the old instruments that might be left there. Do you happen to know who I might be able to contact? I am glad that you and your mother have reached a reconciliation of sorts--I don't it doesn't replace the hugs. I tell people that I had two parents -just not at the same time, as I got to know my mother after my father died in 1981. My mother died in 2001, with so many questions that were even too painful to ask her. Thank you for your story.

Leah Latimer: I have never been inside--we just got a tour of the grounds-but have seen photos. The Maryland Park Commission will not allow ANYONE inside because of safety and liability issues. But people go there and sneak around without permission. Not a good idea, because you could get arrested and it's just not safe or healthy to do so.

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Rockville, Md: I just wanted you to know that like your mother I was a patient at Glenn Dale Hospital in 1959-1960. I was kept there for 9 months even though all my tests were negative during that whole period. I also had gone to the Upshur Street clinic. By 1959, patients were not allowed to go on porches or on the grounds. We had no movies or any entertainment. I remember four of the doctors and I have a lot of stories to tell about my stay. I will try to contact you at your email address if you want more details.

Leah Latimer: okay. thanks.

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Maryland: While an extreme example (given your mother wasn't properly diagnosed and incorrectly committed to the TB sanatorium), do you have any thoughts as to how this would be handled today? i ask given that the likeihood of forced confinement still appears to be a reasonable expectation when/if the country is confronted with a contagious epidemic.

Leah Latimer: After 9/11, the medical community got together and adopted on new regulations that would give governments more powers to quarantine/isolate. The new rules do address individual rights and liberties, due process, etc. But who knows what would happen in a public panic?

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Germantown, Md: I finished reading this article and wanted to give kudos on a story that I always heard, but never really understood. Etta Young has been, currently is, and always will be one of the strongest women I know. Thanks for instilling me with a sense of family pride.

-Brian Taylor

Leah Latimer: ETTA: Thanks. It's a lot to read, I know.

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Industry, Texas : Thank you for writing your T.B. story.

As a young child and also teenager my prayer everynight was "Please God, let my Mama get well"

I too experienced my mother's quarantined absence in a Beaumont, Texas tuberculosis sanatorium. As an only white daughter with a devoted blue collared daddy living in Beaumont, my perception of the experience was "normal for me." Being shunned by neighbors, friends, and family because of her illness was hard. My need was a mother close by, not waving from inside a screened hospital porch with no door waving. I remember much. But as we say now, "it is what it is", was the philosopy we used to deal with our family's challenge.

Her first time away was when I was six(1946) for a year. The second time was forever....1950 to 1957.

Your article gave me great pause.

This is the first time I have ever had the opportunity to read or hear another's story.

Again, thank you.

SHR

Leah Latimer: Everyone has a story to tell. I'm convinced of that. Yours is powerful and I'd like to know more.

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Leah Latimer: Thanks for all of your comments and questions. As I mentioned, I continue to research and report for this, and not just my family's story. I am captivated by the personal experiences, the impact on family, the medical intrigue, the workings of society. Feel free to contact me at leahlatimer@comcast.net.

ETTA: Thanks for being so interested in my story, and for your kind, encouraging comments.

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