Rest in Peace, Howard Dully
Donation protected
UPDATE:
It is with great sadness that I am reporting that Howard died on February 11, 2025. He passed peacefully at home with Barbara by his side.
Howard’s life was very hard, but he remained positive and grateful to the end.
Barbara will stay in California, with family. A memorial will be planned in the future. If you would like to contribute to help Barbara with cremation and end-of-life expenses, this GoFundMe will be active through February.
Rest in peace, Howie! You were one of a kind and we love you.
UPDATE:
Thank you to all who have generously contributed.
Contributions paid for Howard and Barbara to stay in a motel while looking for housing. They were finally able to find a low-cost apartment in Kentucky, where they believed they would get help. They have been in Kentucky since July. Both have been hospitalized again, and now they are there with no help.
Thankfully, a relative in California has offered them a place to stay. within a community where they will receive support. Now, they need to return to California on a train, where Howard is able to lay flat while traveling.
Speaking with Barbara and Howard recently, I was again struck by their positive attitudes. They said Kentucky is beautiful, at least what they can see from the apartment and hospital windows. But it was clearly a mistake to move there, and "lesson learned."
Please donate if you can. Howard and Barbara need money to buy train tickets. California or Bust!
Thank you for your consideration.
ORIGINAL POST:
My friends, Howard and Barbara, need your help. After several years of severe medical issues and surgeries, today the unimaginable happened -- their mobile home caught fire and is uninhabitable. They are in desperate need of money for new housing.
Howard is bedridden and Barbara is legally blind with an amputated foot. They are kind and deserving of your help, and they will be truly grateful.
Please read Howard's story.
Background
I met Howard over 10 years ago. I was working in a building that was formerly a hospital and I learned that some of the last lobotomies in the US had been performed in the building. I was curious and discovered that one of those patients was still living in San Jose, so I contacted him and I toured him through the rooms where his nightmare took place. We became friends.
Just before I retired, in 2014, I submitted a transmittal to the Board of Supervisors for a Resolution of Commendation in recognition of Howard's resiliency and bravery in telling his story.
Howard's Story
Howard was 12 years old in 1960 when he had a lobotomy. His truly evil step-mother found him to be out-of-control and eventually consulted with Dr. Walter Freeman who recommended a lobotomy. She sold her family china for $200 to pay for the procedure.
The shameful Dr. Freeman perfected his "ice pick" lobotomy procedure on over 2,500 patients, including Rosemary Kennedy. And Howard.
After the lobotomy, Howard was institutionalized at Agnews State Hospital. Santa Clara County Child Protective Services did nothing to help him (I have seen the records). His life spiraled out of control into addiction and homelessness.
Because Howard was so young when the lobotomy took place, his brain was able to re-grow pathways (I have seen the MRI images). Howard's natural intelligence and determination saved him.
National Public Radio learned of his story, and produced an episode that had more callers than any other show to-date. NPR helped him track down the archives at George Washington University, where Dr. Freeman had donated his medical records. He was so proud of his "accomplishments." Howard was able to read the notes of his step-mother's visits to Dr. Freeman. The records also contained photographs of Howard during and after the lobotomy.
Howard wrote his memoir, "My Lobotomy."
Howard is a good person who has had very bad things happen to him. He's done the best he could do, and I personally consider him an amazing example of courage in overcoming obstacles. Howard and Barbara have been happy in their small mobile home and Barbara has taken great pride in her garden. They recently installed a wheelchair ramp and had a small electric lift. With today's fire, the future is uncertain. But one thing is sure. They need our help.
Your donation will help them to find new permanent housing. Both Howard and Barbara are in a motel for a limited time. Thank you.
Organizer
Rae Wedel
Organizer
San Jose, CA