Description
"Genie" (b. 1957) is the pseudonym of a young girl raised in an abusive and isolated environment until the age of 13. The
collection consists of material that chronicles her discovery and the study and rehabilitation efforts of researchers. Items
include reports and essays; correspondence; notes; medical records; diagnostic material; legal paperwork such as depositions,
summonses, and settlement agreements; pedagogical material; administrative paperwork; Genie's artwork; articles and clippings;
photographs and slides; audio-visual videotapes, cassettes, and film; assorted printed material; and ephemera.
Background
"Genie" is the pseudonym of a 13 year old girl who, on November 4, 1970, was admitted to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles as
a victim of extreme isolation and deprivation by her immediate family. She was discovered after a Department of Social Services
case worker took note of Genie when her mother, who was losing her eyesight, visited Social Services seeking assistance for
the blind. Subsequent medical and psychological tests at Childrens Hospital noted that Genie had language and motor skills
far below her age level.
Extent
38.0 Linear Feet
(76 boxes, 2 shoeboxes, and 7 oversize boxes)
Restrictions
The materials in the collection raise privacy and confidentiality concerns that prevent the University from granting any permission
to access the materials for any purpose other than personal research. The files that are open to research are explicitly noted
in the finding aid. All other files unless noted are closed to research. The University does not hold any copyrights in these
materials and cannot grant permission to copy or publish. Any person seeking to publish the materials would have to resolve
potential issues concerning copyright, statutory protection of medical records (HIPAA), and common law and California constitutional
privacy. The University cannot address or resolve these issues. While the University is able to provide access to some of
the materials for personal research purposes, it cannot provide access beyond this narrow restriction nor grant permission
to copy or publish."
Availability
This collection is closed to access, except for those individual files that are explicitly noted as open for research in the
Container List. Please contact Special Collections reference (spec-coll@library.ucla.edu) for more information.