Gilda was "mentally retarded" probably as a result of meningitis when
she was two. She stuttered severely, had severe behaviour
problems, and spent much of her life in institutions, special schools,
and workshops for the intellectually handicapped.
At the age of 30 she learned to play chess, started to learn to read
and write, and could eventually read some simpler chapters of the
Bible. Her stuttering gradually cleared up during her thirties and
forties, and by associating with the Lutheran Church her behaviour
became more normal.
Her writing practice included numerous short essays or compositions.
These were later edited and published as a book in 2009 and legal
deposit copies lodged in the
required libraries. A psychological assessment in 1995 by a psychologist from
the Intellectual Disability Services Council scored Gilda's IQ at 68. In her forties and
beyond Gilda could often manage when left alone at home without supervision for weeks at a time.
Her father was amazed when the daughter he had compared to an
animal (German - "Vieh") began challenging him to games of chess.
A final game of chess with Walter on his final visit to
Australia
