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00:00:00 – 00:08:07
The video delves into the life of Roman Trips, a World War II veteran who underwent a lobotomy by the Veterans Administration in 1953. Roman's story sheds light on a disturbing practice of lobotomizing veterans with psychiatric conditions post-war. The segment highlights the impact of such surgeries, leaving patients in a vulnerable state, as seen through Roman's struggles with mental illness post-lobotomy. The controversial use of lobotomy as a treatment for psychological problems is a central theme, showcasing the lasting effects on individuals like Roman.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, it is revealed that Roman Trips, a World War II veteran, has been dining alone at King Street Kitchen in Wisconsin for over 30 years. Despite appearing as a quiet eccentric to others, Roman flew combat missions during the war and underwent a lobotomy by the Veterans Administration in 1953. The Wall Street Journal uncovered government records showing that hundreds of World War II veterans were lobotomized by the VA due to psychiatric conditions. Roman’s story serves as a rare survivor’s account of a dark chapter in American military history.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, the focus is on a man named Roman who flew combat missions during World War II but later started experiencing mental health issues including hearing voices. He was committed to a VA hospital in Wisconsin in 1949 and subjected to various treatments like electroshock therapy and lobotomy. Doctors believed lobotomy was the best hope for psychologically disturbed veterans at that time, though its efficacy was debated. Roman underwent a lobotomy in 1953 where surgeons cut into his skull and sliced neural fibers in his brain, a procedure that was common for mentally ill patients back then. The consequences and questions surrounding the decision of lobotomy as a treatment for mental health issues are highlighted in this part of the video.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, it is described how some patients who underwent radical surgery were left in a helpless and vacant state. Roman, one such patient, suffered seizures after the operation. His sister vividly recalls seeing him in pain and writhing after the surgery. Despite spending five years in and out of hospitals, Roman settled in La Crosse and lives in a small apartment now. He struggles with mental illness, imagining FBI conspiracies and feeling troubled by what he refers to as his “magnetic brain.” Roman tries to cope with the damage caused by war, mental illness, and potentially medication, as he carries on with his routine in daily life.