Life at Trastad Gård: on the experiences of the former inmates of a large institution for people with learning difficulties in northern Norway

Abstract

In Norway, institutionalised care for people with learning disabilities ended in the 1990s. The aim of this article is to discuss the living conditions at Trastad Gård as described by some of its former inmates. The biographical approach was adopted to capture and discuss the experiences of six former inmates at the institution. Four main but interconnected issues evolving from the stories of our informants were discussed. These include their experiences on coming to the institution, feelings of homesickness, loneliness and lessons of everyday life. The findings were primarily discussed with reference to theoretical perspectives of power and power relations.

Keywords:

• learning difficulties
• institutional care
• personal experiences
• power relations