What happens to bethel members who get sick?

JimmyYoung

So I am sure if you are at Bethel and have the flu you just get time or what ever to recover, but what about serious sickness. Say you get cancer or some possible terminal illness? What happens?

Victor

You are sent home at your family's expense or put out on the street. You are no longer useful and are considered a net loss.

JW_Researcher

If one had a chronic situation, it was suggested that they’d get better quicker at home (my BIL).

The largest physical problem I had while at Brooklyn (early 1980s) was due to a dropped piece of steel squashing my toe.

There was pressure building up under the nail and the doctor (who was a psychiatrist but performing as a GP) heated a unfolded paperclip and pierced the nail to relieve the pressure. We knew he had made it through the nail because when the very hot paperclip hit the very sensitive skin under the nail … I screamed.

He was a good guy and actually introduced me to diazepam (Valium) for “stress.” Perhaps he was more “liberal” than others.

Anyone remember his name? He had a family with him there as well.

betterdaze

Those oldsters who know too much get sent to Fishkill. Once the accountant$, lawyer$, real e$tate dealers start getting dementia it's too risky to farm them out to worldly facilities.

Jehovah's Witnesses contract to buy third Fishkill property

The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York has a purchase contract with AVR Realty, the private developer active in that area, to acquire a project under construction, LaColla said.
The project is known as the Chelsea Senior Living facility and was being built by a unit of AVR to serve as a combination of assisted living facility, independent living for seniors and some townhouses, he said.

800 Sacandaga Loop #1000 was sold November 2015 for $4.5 million. It's listed as a "private hospital".

ZindagiNaMilegiDobaara

You are sent packing ! Used and discarded, never cherished and looked after for your exclusive devotion to God or them!

Zing

Jehalapeno

In my experience, it depends on your length of tenure and, as with all things JW, your position in the organization.

Most bethelites would be sent home packing, especially if they have surviving family members that can take care of them.

But there are some that either they have no family outside of Bethel, or they have been at Bethel for so long and are "heavies".

For example, Karl Adams wife had a stroke and was completely debilitated. She was allowed to stay at Bethel because of who her husband was.

sir82

If a "standard Bethelite" you get sent packing.

If you're a "Bethel heavy", they might send you packing but as a "special pioneer" so you get the monthly stipend & a few other perks.

If you are a GB member, or helper, or head of a department, or a Bethel lifer aged 80+, or a spouse of such, they may accommodate you within Bethel, allow you to stay and take up a bed in the infirmary.

road to nowhere

Anecdotally I heard that Knorr would send you to your room with chicken soup only.

From what everyone hears, you had better be one of the big guys or know where the bodies are buried

pontoon

JW_Researcher...Sounds like Dr. Carlton.

krismalone

I agree with the posts. It all depends on your time in Bethel and position.

Example of different results because of time in bethel:

Example #1: John Foster slaved in Bethel for over 45 hrs. He was in a car wreck going to or from the Congregation meeting. He is wheelchair bound. He was allowed to stay as he has no family outside the cult and because of his many yrs. He slaved as the bindery overseer for many yrs and he was an self righteous asshole but thats for another story. He was featured in a JW broadcast.

Example #2: Brenda Upton was slaving (Both she and husband were chiropractors) in the Brooklyn cult compound for only a short time (less than 5 yrs?) and she got injured running to catch a bus to go to a Congregation meeting. The Watchtower sent her and her husband packing. She actually sued for workers comp and WON! I beleive she and her husband are in Washington last time I heard.

What happens to bethel members who get sick?

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