@@kedhotkerri1 ? WY do people have to be so evil just because we are not the same as other person. WE ALL NEEDTO FIND THE GOD IN US. STOP STANDING AROUNDJUST SAYING WHAT A SHAME. Please people.Give help stop the hate.God CAN see you. AMEN.
Can't we all be very thankful for the courage that Geraldo Rivera showed to sneak into this place and gather information to expose the truth of what was going on? I have great respect for Geraldo Rivera and his body of work.
David Copperfield-not the magician I AM THANKFUL FOR GERALDO RIVERA WHO BUSTED OUT WITH THIS STORY OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS RESIDENTS HE SAVED ALOT OF LIVES AND GOT THE STATE INSTITUTIONS SHUT DOWN AND STAFFERS TO BE CHARGED AS CRIMINALS AND CHARGED WITH SOCIAL CRIMES AGAINST INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED PEOPLE WHO WERE LOCKED AWAY THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
Respect from me! God knows there are thousands of these places today that need to be shut down! Still today the kids are being medicated, slowed down, and just getting destroyed left with no ability to use their brain. Now it's detoxing from the mental abuse that was just experienced.
@@Juliaz6712 too long!!! But once he found out, he took immediate steps to get her out. Did you know that Geraldo Rivera that lunatic was the one who brought Willowbrooke to Light? I don’t know where he turned the wrong direction but when he started out, he was a good journalist. Now he’s a joke.
I love how there's no background music during the interviews. It really makes you feel the weight of the speaker's words. That's how documentaries ought to be.
I feel so bad for Bernard, nobody brought him toys and treats for over a decade he was alone and trapped. His mind fully functional but unable to speak up for himself or have anyone listen.
I agree 100% I had watch this many years ago I came across this when I was younger I studied medical and physical disabilities since I was six years old and now I am 30 and the job I have brought this back up and I’m like wait I watch that and that is the most horrid video I have ever seen in my life because of the way everybody was treated it was not like a school at all it was an institution where they did not give a Excuse my French a motherfucking damn about these people and that rips me to pieces still
Nursing care facility’s are totally disgusting they leave the old people in there own mess for hours and hours it’s awful think about all those people who died recently due to covid in those places some places where totally gutted of 90% of patents.
@@pawznplay2772 My best friend is severely disabled and she had something like a heart attack last week and there were so few nurses she was stuck in the ER for 3 days without a bed she needed to be admitted and they had beds but not enough Nurse staff to cover the beds she is on permanent life non invasive life support so she has to automatically go to the ICU no matter what because of her breathing machine it’s outside equipment so they will not touch it. I have to stay with her in the hospital the whole time because the nurses and Drs won’t touch her machines. They constantly consistently try to kick me out because of covid but if I leave she will die. So it’s like a huge fight the whole time. I had them discharge her against medical advice because they where going to kill her it was fucking scary. So my severely disabled sick friend is sick in pain in her bed right now and she can’t go to the hospital because they will literally kill her due to being short staffed.
Im soo happy to see Bernard as a successful and thriving person. He has such an amazing bright light inside of him and I think that also helped him survive the pain and torture he went through. I just love him and all the others who had to suffer there. This was a tough one to watch.
This is absolutely heartbreaking. I am so lucky and proud to have grandparents who had the strength, love and determination to defy the Drs when they were told to institutionalise my uncle born with Down syndrome. I am also grateful to grow up with my uncle in my life and the amazing lessons in love, patience, understanding and compassion he has taught me.
I recently worked in a Group Home for 6 years and it was by far the BEST "job" I have ever had. It gave my life Purpose! And like you mentioned too, they taught me PATIENCE, understanding, and a little bit of a different way to looking at life. Thank God these institutions are fading out and being replaced by Group Homes. We assisted them with everyday essentials eventually being something they would do on there own. The PRIDE and DIGNITY that glowed on their faces made me HAPPY. 😊❤
💯% AGREED!!! My sister gave us her daughter who ended up having a lot of issues, autism being one of many ... She was 2 when she came to us, today she is 27! I can honestly say, she is my best friend! I wouldn't be the person I am today w/out her in my life ❤️ She has taught me so much about life, "dis"ability, courage, and forgiveness! I'm so greatful to my sis 4 giving us this beautiful human instead of throwing her away in a horrible place like this. Makes me want to 😢 cry.. I'm so sorry to all of you who were exposed to this hell. May God bless the days you have left on this earth❤️ May God give you all the biggest mansions w/ walkways of 🪙 gold when you get to Heaven!! You all are in my prayers 🙏💕
I'm from Lowell Mass. My grandparents founded, R.A.R.A. RETARTED ADULT REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION, when my Aunt was determined to be mentally retarded. They were not going to put her away, or treat her any differently than her 5 brothers and sisters. Place was awesome. Back then it was all volunteers and donations. Today, unfortunately it's a business.
I worked at a new residential home in NY, where the residents were transplanted from Willowbrook. It was so very sad. They could not feed, wash, dress themselves. They had no idea what a “schedule” was…we had to rehabilitate them into a more normal, safe clean life. They had NO idea what was going on…but, they were humans! They were afraid of showers bc they all used to stand in a room naked and the staff there would hose them down. Many of the residents were combative. It never ever should have happened!
I grew up on L.I. and worked in NYC at the time at my dad's co. (I was only about 11-13 when Willowbrook was closing.) Being overly sheltered, I never heard of Willowbrook. I'm horrified and sorry for what caretakers had to deal with in the aftermath. Bless you. I was aware of the similar problem at Credemore, but thought that was the whole shebang for the NY metro area. This should NEVER have happened. As an attorney, I sure hope civil lawsuits and criminal indictments flew! (Then again, things were entirely different back then in the "olden days." In another comment, a gal's mother called these innocent and loving souls "earth angels." I think that's the most appropriate term I've ever heard.
@@allisonmarlow184 "earth angels" and they are. I have a son with Down Syndrome that also has Selective Mutism he tries to talk only when his sister & niece & nephew comes over to visit. I worry about him because I'm getting more & more disabled in my legs. He helped me this afternoon and carried up my 12pks of cola and that was so sweet. If I'm hurting in my leg he puts his hand on it like he's healing the pain. They truly are Angels here on Earth. I love my son with my all and wish I could do more for him. My profile picture is of me & him about 10 - 11 yrs ago when he was in middle school. I don't want him to go away, but I do want to find a place for him that he can go (during the day) to help him learn more of what he needs to know in this life before I leave this world. That's my only fear of death now is my baby boy being left behind 😥💔
@@OgramRavot21 How are doing now, and how's your leg pain?? May I suggest Margo that you find a residence that will take your son in where he can come home on weekends and I'm sure theres one close to you, in the beginning it will be sad not to have him around everyday but then you can look forward to his weekend home visits and you will not be so consumed with the thought of dying that you forget to live, right now u are merely existing so try to sort your son out so that you both can have peace of mind and the joy of living returns. I wish you well
@@OgramRavot21 Margo, your disability may just be a "blessing" for your son. Bear with me. Helping you gives him purpose, is rewarding to him, exchanges love between you, and mostly teaches him sooo much. This helps him grow in so many ways -- and also helps you... I would look for a program that helps teach him about helping you as well as living in a group home setting. But one that lets him stay at home as long as possible. Just a thought. I'd say you have quite an Earth Angel!
I’m a medical professional and this makes me sick to my stomach. I care for people with a wide range of disabilities and I love watching them learn and grow in confidence and just come into themselves a little so seeing people with disabilities treated like this.. it’s so against my nature that it’s repulsive 🤢
Oh, Dear Laurajayne Nolan, if it was not for outstanding health care providers who are dedicated to help us the system would have been corrupted long time ago. The sad thing since the great professionals like you when speaking up or stand up they find away to get rid of you or the best ones can't handle all what they see so they close their practice or move. So, God bless you for caring for all who needs care. Don't give up. God prevail thank you.
@@lindalund9621 now that they're aborting people who are disabled in a few years governments will start killing off all those who are perceived to be threats to 'national security.' Look out world it's coming soon.
I love the way that Luis' brother told us about him. It's wonderful that he has these stories to share, just like we all do about each other. It shows that he sees his brother as a real person, not just a sad story.
Truly heartwarming a story close to my own. Mom and Dad never let the state take custody of my brother. He graduated high school and worked at Goodwill Industries. He is retired living in a group home. Happy and comfortable. Blessings to all. Prayers work miracles.
I hate seeing this I have bad ADD and ADHD from encephalitis and my teachers in my first years of elementary school they tried to tell my family I was autistic my mom and my doctors said the opposite but this one teacher was determined to make me appear autistic. Teaching me to read slower pulling me away from my regular class and would even video tape me at recess and tell me my behavior was odd. Thank god my parents got me out of that school the final straw was when that teacher told me mom I would never learn past the age of 8 now I'm in college I graduate next year with a college degree in human services and my goal is to help children get out of or away from what happened to me because no one deserves that.
I watched the original . I’m now almost 70. It was so awful I will never forget it. It still makes me cry for those children. The children whose came to see them probably did get some what treatment then those whose parents never did. Did they want to get rid of their children. Well, it’s sad to think doctors and priests and family members would encourage people to do that. God bless those children.
No, they didn't want to get rid of their children. They loved them very much. They wanted to do what was best for the child and were told by respected individuals/ authority figures the best thing were these types of facilities. We know more about mental impairments now than we did back then, professionals as well as lay people. Today, treatment and therapies are available on out patient bases. To my knowledge, only the severely mentally and physically disabled or insane are institutionalized. Families prefer to take care of their kids on their own if they are able. Most of the institutions were shut down in the 70s and early 80s. State and federal regulations governing the remaining facilities and group homes are more stringent now than they were back then. I'm sure you will agree there have been vast improvements since the 1800s!
I really don’t understand how people can treat those with disabilities as less than human. It makes me feel ashamed. Everyone deserves to be loved and respected
My little guy has autism and adhd. He’s a funny and bright young man whose greatest passion is to read. Whilst only nine he reads at an advanced level. Never could I imagine for a second to send him to a place like this. My heart truly broke watching this. I started watching and thought I could move on, I couldn’t. Everyone needs to watch this and never let anything remotely happen like this again.
I'm autistic. Had a college reading level by 11, and enjoyed reading college textbooks. I get told all the time how smart I am, by everyone. But there's this extreme disconnect from social life, because all I like to do is read. That's it
Just so sad that wherever there are disenfranchised there are those that want to take advantage of them, it doesn't matter what the cause. Those kind of sick evil people will find a way.
i work at a nursing home as a CNA… and it makes me SICK seeing how nurses and other CNA’s treat the residents… it’s awful. i continue to work there to help them as much as i can.
Was just looking through the comments to see if anyone else said as much, was trying to find his name, but I guess the time stamp would suffice! Soon as he said that, I got the biggest smile on my face! Fuck yea he does, all of them earned it! I know so many people not living with such extreme difficulties that have just become bitter throughout their lives. Seeing all this man has been through and the pure drive & strength for something more is absolutely incomparable. Heartbreakingly beautiful
And had enough class to say we all do, what lovely human beings they all are. Was sad to read Louis died before the end of filming. That was hilarious when his brother figured out he knew how to play people. Even funnier, the dress thing, I hope the lady was understanding. That has to be the shittiest part about it for them. As we age we instinctively look for a partner and they can feel the urge but can't express it. That was heart wrenching to watch, second time I sat through it though and I'll watch it again some day.. Peace to you and thanks for the nice comment. Fun reading those after the documentaries, always...
My beloved son is high functioning autistic. It is amazing how devoted our German shepherd is towards him. Today he got a hair cut and our dog Max never took his eyes off the hair stylist.
Oh girl! same here i have a high functioning 19 year old son and a nonverbal 3 year old. And i am like your sons german Shepard i watch everyone like a hawk when they are around my kids. ... this video is proof of the cruelty and dismissal of people with disabilities. It was hard to watch. Animals are angels in disguise. blessings to you.
Can't find enough money to give these people proper care but there's never a problem finding cash to fund ludicrous wars or the next missile/fighter jet.
My Grandmother's younger sister was born in 1909, developmentally disabled. Her parents kept her at home, and I grew up with her in my Grandparent's home. She had a great life, and died at 75 years old. I doubt she would have flourished if they hadn't kept her at home. No creature with a soul should live like they had to in those hell holes.
I worked from 1972 until 2010 in a psychiatric hospital I witness a few unethical events those monster were fired. I love giving those suffering with mental health illness hope and seeing their progress throughout my years of employment. The hospital I worked had good workers who looked after the patients like their family. You're blessed when you have a healthy brain and good physical health. Peace and love to humanity ❤
Growing up my mother did respite care. At one point we had 11-12 children in our home. Ranging from down syndrome to spine bifida. I was so fortunate to have had the experience of growing up with every single one of these children. I almost envy them. To be so happy and not understand all the ugly in our world is a blessing. 30 years later i still relish the memories made from that time.
I was one of the people who worked in a private facility for intellectually and physically disabled adults. It's not an easy job - but I loved it. The people you serve become friends and just like anyone else ... you have fun with them, you get peeved with them, you enjoy special experiences and have great relationships - they become part of your heart. I never understood how people who worked at large state institutions could justify the way they treated other human beings and felt they were somehow better or more "evolved" so they could, apparently without guilt, give "care" on the level of that given animals in a feedlot or puppy mill (which, of course, is also heinous).
This makes me so angry. This could have been my mother. She was born in 1953 paralyzed from tge waist down due to a birth injury. Her parents were told to institutionalize her. However my grandparents took her home and treated her like the other 3 children. She even had chores and expected of the same as the others. When they went out to play.She went out to play.. Even as a 2 yr old sat in the dirt to play with toys like her siblings. My mom is the best mother and very able...and most of that has to do with parents who saw potential..and her family who always tried to encourage her... Making sure she had all the same rights and stimulation as her bros and sister. Please rethink before u make this decision.
ANGELEE that is a wonderful comment to share! It’s so sad the way professionals would pressure people to just put their children into care. Bless your grandparents, unconditional love & family is the best medicine for ANY person!
Oh God bless your grandparents! My Grandmother died in a mental institution, in Pennsylvania. That institution has since been turned into a haunted house theme park. 40$ a carload to drive and visit the buildings during the Halloween season. How infuriated this makes me. I will do something to stop this!
These siblings are the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Having these struggles in their lives has molded them into extraordinarily compassionate, honest souls. God bless these families. I want to hug them all! 💔
Anyone that feels like they are being shortchanged or not getting opportunities others are getting should watch this and pay special attention to Bernard. The challenges he faced as a child and growing up I cannot fathom, I have the upmost respect for all the fellow Americans featured in this documentary.
I just love Louis brother. I’m taking care if my very ill father and it is a 100% new experience for me. He’s so articulately explaining all the feelings.
I've supported folks with developmental disabilities for over 20 years. This documentary keeps my heart and mind focused on why I chose to do what I do. 💗
Everyone is born with a different set of strengths and weaknesses. So called disabled people often have the most beautiful way to show pure love and affection. It's heartbreaking to imagine all those people being locked away and abused in such horrible ways. Just look at Patty. How happy she is in her relationship. Today she could have lived a pretty normal life. My heart also breaks for Bernard. He obviously is a highly intelligent person. The horrible conditions aside, the boredom alone must have been living hell.
I hope that the man with the disabled brother, Louis, eventually found a wife and had a family of his own. I know from experience how hard it is and I pray for more support for disabled people and their caretakers. I know that this is an old film but the problem has never and will never go away.
Guys the mom actually said “I have a special love with a bit of shame bc I sent him to willowbrook and my other kids where here with me,” I also think she meant “I don’t want him feeling like I love him less bc he wasn’t with me” dang it hit me. It must’ve been so hard for her not knowing how to communicate and fight for her son. Breaks my heart yoo
My grandparents adopted a mentally handicapped child at 3 days old… he’s almost 30 now, I can’t imagine how his life would be if he did become part of our family
These poor people how horrible it was for them, I can't for the life of me begin to tell how awful and inhumane this fu**ing place was. It makes me sick.😓😓😓
My best friend had a younger brother with DS....they taught him just like any of their children , raised him at home in a normal environment....he became mostly independent in his life...he did well without institutions ...he attended a day school at University where they researched ....turned out to be an excellent man unfortunately he died about 5 yrs ago....as he had health problems also....but lived a good life....he was always happy!
My uncle had DS..he died last year at the age of 69. It has been interesting to see how attitudes have changed over the decades - he started off institutionalised but ended up living an independent, fulfilled life - just how it should be ❤
@Jen Rich You are correct. Abuse happened recently on a community bus we all take. Talked down to. One girl got her hand hit. Shushed shut up all the time towards us. She pinned the doors on me. I could not move. I told her she had me stuck. She said she thought i was in. Flat tone did not care. Dislikes all of us.
I believe no matter what you should raise that child.i know it's hard I have a s on with a Austin and I lo 've him with my heart.he my booger butt he's 21
Louis brother is the most incredible brother in the world. With all my heart I hope he has a beautiful family and children of his own. Bless this whole family ❤️
I think the saddest part was the very ending when they listed everybody's names and it started off with the person with the disability and then listed their family underneath.. Patty ann meskell then all 3 sisters ... Luis Rivera and then his mom and brothers ... Margaret Goodman and her mom willy mae .. and then just "Bernard Cerrabello" nothing underneath his name, no family to mention.. i made it through this whole video without crying, but that's what got me... Also, the Italian older man, talked about his son as if he died.. the whole video I figured he passed at willowbrook, come to find out he lives in the same town at a developmental center for the last SIXTEEN years waiting for placement into a group home.. like what a scumbag, you wasted how many years of your sons life by hiding him away at Willowbrook, only to get him out and talk about him as a "has been" knowing hes probably not getting much better treatment where he is now.. that really rubbed me wrong. this whole thing is terribly sad...
...could have been any of us. It really hit me when I met a group of young women...out shopping for their clothes, which they did every 6 months. They were all happy and excited about coming for clothes. I asked one woman, where she lived and it was a group home not more then 45 min away.They all had different emotional and mental issues, physical and health problems I never knew about it. I was 40 at the time. I asked more casual questions then her age...40... she was born a month ahead of me. Itstayed with me. Really. it could have been any of us.
My oldest son has autism. He is the most hard working, kind, sensitive, stands up for those who were wronged, smart, and anything you'd want out of a kid. I could never imagine ever placing him in a Hell like this.
As is my son with autism. My son is funny, when I asked him to do a chore, he replied ''in due time'' I said really? he told me that he ''has an itinerary'' so we'll wait a few weeks. lol
I cant help but think that some of these moms loved their kids like that too but there were no options for them like we have now. They truly thought they were doing the very best thing for their child they could.
@@shellyseats5630 I don't agree because any parent who loved their child would have visited the place first, then would never have left their child there. Turthfully I wouldn't have left my dog there.
@@marilynwillett804 I couldn’t agree more, when my son was diagnosed in 86 with autism the doctor told there was a place ready for my boy at hope lodge, even back in 86 they were trying to part mams from there children, Needless to say my boy is with his mammy, who loves him more than life! Love outweighs everything!!
Geraldo hit the nail on the head with the comment about assembly line care. Willowbrook was not unique in their approach...they were just a little more sloppy. Psych wards, prisons, nursing homes and other places where people are warehoused will always have abuse/neglect problems.
There's a rehab in tucson, AZ. that treats the patients horribly. And they get away with it, especially now during all the covid shenanigans because visitors are not allowed, they don't give information to other nursing staff when they come on duty, they don't care for the clients well, the whole place reeks of urine. We had an acquaintance to his place there and went downhill so drastically, he looks like he almost starved to death, They lost his paperwork, they lost his personal belongings, The facility staff members had his wallet, and his pin for his credit card as well as the card itself in their personal belongings, They lost his medical aids that he needs. They lost his clothing. He recently was placed in a different Care facility and is already doing much better. I wish that one place specifically would be shut down. The first name of the place starts with the letter P, And the last name of the place is Avenue. If you have a loved one that needs a care facility in Tucson Arizona, please do not send them to the one with the tree on their awning!
I worked, for a few months, in the early 80's, at similar type of institute for children. Being assigned from teens to infants. None who could speak. None who could feed themselves. All wore diapers. I remember 5 specifically in my care but there were several more. It was just me and a nurse. In one 8hr shift all I did was feedings, changing diapers, bathing, dressing. No time for anything else. It was sad because they were so lonely and bored and no visitors, no therapies of any kind. No one on one love and attention. I could see that all of them had potential for a better life than that and deserved more. A special needs child actually needs more than one carer and I didnt understand why there werent more staff. To be put in a place like Willowbrook looks far worse. I also worked on a pediatric ward (medical side) and in one 8hr shift I had to care for up to 10 infants with another med tech who cared for the rest and one nurse. same thing feeding, changing bathing dressing meds. No time for any special attention. Nor parents to come and visit. Its like that in nearly every care type of situation. everywhere. everyday. still.
Luis’ mother is just precious. She loves her children more than anything and she feels profoundly guilty for leaving her child in that horrid place for so many years. I empathize with her. I’m not a mother, but I am a woman and a loving person. I cannot imagine how painful it must have been for her and the entire family.
The mom is such a sweetheart, and she meant well for him. I was a home health CNA for 5 years. I would get attached to a lot of my patients. With one specific patient I had, I was like a part of the family dynamic surrounding him and how they cared for him at home. He was just like Louis, diagnosed with cerebral palsy and also epilepsy. His mother briefly told me the story about how her son was admitted into a state hospital like Willowbrook back in the 60s. When he was born, he wasn't diagnosed with cerebral palsy yet, but within the first couple years, his development was delayed, and his behavior got worse. When he was a toddler, he could walk, and so there were times when he would try to break out of the house and run away. A scared single mother of 6 kids and one child having these problems...the mother felt she had no choice for his safety but to admit him into a state mental hospital where he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and stayed there for almost 30 years. However, he was not cared for the way he needed to be. When they finally shut the facility down, he finally got to go home to his family, but there were physical and mental signs of abuse and neglect. He was eligible for round the clock home Healthcare, and his quality of life was all that mattered. I think he might still be alive today, I hope! Every time I hear stories about these poor people who had to endure these places, I think back to Danny.
As a mother of a child that has autism. I couldn’t imagine putting my kid in a place like this. I understand why. And that parents thought they were doing what was best. They were deceived and lied to. Basically forced to give their kids up. My son had a wonderful specialist who said. There’s no such thing as normal. That’s typical and atypical. But what’s normal to you isn’t normal to me. What’s normal to me isn’t to you. My heart breaks for the victims and families.
There is such a thing as normal and it doesn't depend on our personal opinion, normal is ''what most are'' or '''what most do'. Every word has a valid meaning. IF most have blue eyes in Kentucky then it's normal to have blue eyes in Kentucky. One doesn't have to be normal to fit into society,. No they weren't deceived, they chose to leave their child there. I'd be dead before my son would be left in Willowbrook.
I certainly have to agree with you my son is also autism, and he is the love of my life he just started to speak in September of 2021 and he didn't speak before that he is about to turn 5 years old! I couldn't change him for anything in the world or give him up!! He makes me so proud, you can barley understand him still but he is trying and we are on a waiting list for any kind of support and help for him
In New York State and surrounding areas, there were no other options. This was such a common thing to commit a mentally challenged person in the 50s that they would’ve been instructed to do so by doctors. People felt immense amount of shame and failure because of how society viewed them. If you were relying on state care or lived in that area, you would’ve basically had to leave your child there. It’s so hard to imagine for us now, thank god
This film was assigned to me for my human service class. As someone who works closely with children who have disabilities. This film was hard for me to watch. However, I have experienced the joy a child with disabilities has. How they help you see the world through a simpler perspective. I can say that speaking is not just the only form of communication. Everyone communicates in their own way, and it’s up to us to listen and learn other people. When you take the time to know who someone is, you can create such a special bond with a person. Everyone deserves to be heard and just wants to be treated with love and care. 💛
Absolutely. Working in a group home was the same as you described and when you see their smile or laughs it's the best feeling EVER ! Keep up with your awesomeness with these special people ❤
This film was assigned for my Disabilities and Special Ed. Course, and I agree, this was very very hard to watch, I have a younger sister who is Autistic, and this truly hurt my heart to watch.
@@Karmen2010 and to think that so many of these "nursing staff" went home to look after and love their own children and families after. Yet they treated these poor souls, who cried out for help, even someone just to hold them and say It will be OK, less than dirt. It's heartbreaking. I recently saw the 5th Estate program on the children's and babies bodies found in the grounds of the old residential school set up by the RC Church in Kamloops. Just like Tuam here in Ireland. Actually felt nauseous hearing the testimonies by survivors.
This was my dad's first job his senior year of high-school early 70's It didn't last too long he said he couldn't stand the conditions in there and how the people was treated my dad said he seen kids come in that may have had disabilities but was very smart and full of love and life just wither and lose life they became like animals in a way because they was treated that way . The cries use to get him . All kinds of abuse people knew but nothing was done or said about it. The cries screams and moans killed him. 😢 he later became a Correction officer then a dean of Leak and watts children's detention school . He used what he learned and saw in Willowbrook to have compassion and look out for the children of that school he retired from both jobs . The kids he worked with in both places rikers and leak and watts respected my dad and many came out and thanked my dad for his caring and sometimes sterness for being like a dad to them.
I remember that place, A friend of mine worked there. And she was a newly wed. Two months of working there she fell sick and died of hepatitis. She was buried in her wedding dress. Her husband was devastated.
The guilt those mothers feel is heartbreaking! my lovely grandmother had to put her first child into one of these places because she had 4 other children to care for all under the age of 5..no help for her at all not even her beloved husband stepped up...it’s just the way it was...it broke my lovely nan until the day she took her last beautiful breath 💔
Geraldo got a bad rap with some of the shenanigans on his talk show. But he is truly a top-notch journalist. How brave was he to just walk in and expose this horror??
You better invest some time into Geraldo. He’s a disgrace. His disgusting journalism almost got MANY of our troops killed.!! He gave away our positions. Almost caused a war in another instance. Nobody respects him.!!!! They think he’s a joke. Which he is. He may have done one good thing and that’s about it. He’s just a wanna be.
My elder brother was disabled but there was alot of family who care for him he stayed with us his 11 siblings and parents. He worked for a man started at 14 years. He was a leather craft man for 25 years. The man who hired him was incredible if only I could tell. He was not without his family I was there for him in his 70s and when he passed away.
It was exposing the horrors of these institutions that brought change and real support to families with these awesome and special kids. As a preteen I volunteered at a small place that was clean and nice...yet when I began to teach the children with Downs, I was told; "Don't bother, they wont learn"...but at 14, I knew they were learning and enjoying learning. I grew up to work with children with special needs a a result of this simple girl scout assignment. I thankGod for the wonderful, almost miraculous changes society has made in these last decades. We now integrate and accommodate our brothers and sisters into the world with us...where they have always belonged, and where they lift us up as we lift them up!!
I want to say thank you Geraldo Rivera God Bless you I have aspergers I function as normal as anybody else but it takes me a bit longer to process the information coming into my brain but once it all comes together I am a quick learner I could have been in one of these places
The guy with the bother in the wheel chair has thought it out so deeply his mom feels so deeply. Trying to understand his brother and the way he expresses himself and how he feels basic human emotions really makes you think about the human mind. I hope they're happy today.
That Willowbrook setting is enough to make a normal person go insane in just a few minutes. This is inhumane. No one was truly caring for any of these people. Many might have thrived at home with their loving families. I am sure many of these families were heartbroken and tormented for their decisions to institutionalize a loved one.
I was born with Crockett feet my mom said I had to where braces on my feet and then my mom found out that I had a Learning disability my mom and dad would never put me in a group home my mom worked with me and tutors every Saturday and I have my own apartment now and Iam 55 years old and I take care of a cat and I work at emerald queen casino in Fife I've been working nine years I refuse to be locked up in a group home group homes are like going to prison I have my own key to my house
Laurie Alvaro having a leaning disability and crooked feet are not reasons to put you in an institution, children who could never live on their own where put there
@@lishialindh25 That's not true. Plenty of children who the parents couldn't feed were institutionalized with nothing wrong with them also children with behavioural problems but no mental retardation were put in hospitals/asylums too.
@@lishialindh25 my mom had me institutionalized bc she just didnt fucking want me, i have autism and cerebral palsy but it's all extremely mild, they took me in. But instead of being awful, it was amazing. I didnt want to leave. Its terrible for anyone to have to go theough such harsh and extreme conditions and abuse
My daughter was born with Cornelia De Lange syndrome. She's 35 years old, mentally disabled. She has the mental age of about 8 years of age. She lives in a great group home for disabled adults. She has her own room and bathroom. One roommate who has their own room and bathroom. She has staff 24/7. This film really broke my heart.
How dare the government and society in general leave these vulnerable people Like this it’s turned my stomach to see how people are treated Poor people and families that have suffered so much ....
I seen the Hiraldo Rivera documentary thank God for him exposing Willowbrook for what it was. I'm so glad to see that things have improved for these special beautiful people. God Bless Bernard I wish him all the very best in fact I wish all those people all the very best. Thank you Hiraldo Rivera. Condolences to Luis's family for the loss of Luis.
When Louis mother explains why she feels guilty about his treatment at Willowbrook @38:00...the emotion in her voice... ..heartbreaking. I hope his brother the oldest with the weight of the family responsibility on him...I so hope he was able to finally have a family of his own.
It is heartbreaking to see what was going on several blocks from where I grew up on Staten Island, New York. In 1979 I was working with autistic children. There was a Special Olympics held that I attended with a child I worked with and his family. I went looking for a bathroom for him. All I found was a building still filled with the smell of urine and something else vile and the sounds of screaming. It was horrific.
I want to give respect and gratitude to the families because it is SO DIFFICULT on them!!!! I was the director on one of these places and it's VERY MUCH still like this! I can't even begin to tell you how hard it was every single day just to get my staff to do their jobs. Because of this, the turnaround of staff was constant. Unfortunately, places like this today still exist and reform HAS TO BEGIN!
@@nicolenewsome4863 can't do it alone my friend! This is only the beginning of reform, which is making people aware. It takes a village for change to work and be successful
My heart breaks for all these parents and the guilt they feel. We make the best decisions with the information we have at the moment. Fortunately this hell hole was closed down and we now have the resources and education to care for our family members that need a little extra attention and care.
Ive worked in human services for about 20 yrs now , its where my heart is , i know the past stories of many who lived in institutions , its heart breaking bc there is nothing in the world like home for those who are disabled , you see what could have been for many had they resided at home where they would have had a better opportunity to thrive and feel loved , some of these institutions were horrific ! ..residential care was the best thing they did for those who came from institutions or whos families can no longer care for them , my heart goes out to these parents , i also have a son with D.S he is the most amazing little boy , i could not imagine our home without him
my heart is so hurt for these beloved fellow human beings, I have two loving grandsons with autism, they are loved and are an important part of our family, we are blessed to have them with us, and raised by us
The man at the beginning of this documentary absolutely made me almost cry my eyes out! I wish I could have reached him and given him a big hug, and let him know that he is loved and valued by those who appreciate him. Shame on his family! This entire documentary is disturbing, and heartbreaking!
my Aunt Elaine was disabled from a car accident when she was 6 months old. she spent 2 years in a body cast. crushed nerves in her face made communication difficult but family never had a problem understanding her. her left leg was shorter than her right because of the 2 years in body cast so she walked with her right foot flat on the ground and only tippy-toes on the left foot. when Mom was dating Dad, she introduced him to the family and my aunt asked him "are you a man or a mouse? speak up mouse!" when we were kids, Mom took the 5 of us to the park and my aunt went with us. another mother brought her kids to the park. we all saw them talking behind their hands and pointing fingers at Aunt Elaine. we were mad at the other kids but she gracefully and humorously shut them down! her comment back to them was if they wanted to see something really funny, go home and look in the mirror! my grandparents never considered putting her in any home. she was raised at home with her 3 sisters. she lived life her way! Aunt Elaine passed 15 years ago and I will never forget her smile! like the sisters said of Patty, she was love. most beautiful redhead I've ever seen!
@@michellehitt1976 she was very sassy and didn’t take guff from anyone! Aunt Elaine could tell you baseball statistics from start to current. Just pick a team and she’d tell you all you could want to know. Any team any player. Country music she knew complete libraries on every artist she loved. She may not have been so physically enabled but her mind was amazing just like she was!
@@michellehitt1976 she was 65 when she passed. Many people attended her service family and friends. She was loved by so many in what seems so short of a time. Of course I’ll always wish for just one more day with each of those I’ve lost knowing it’s not to be in this lifetime.
Bernard is amazing. I don't know him but I am so proud of him. He was brave to keep his head up. He had a rough childhood. It looks like his older years were happier and he looks loved and well taken care of ☺️💟
As a father this video reminds me how much kids see and know and understand. These people visited their family members as children and totally got what was going on. Totally and sadly.
Adorable Patty. I feel so sorry for the family in all the love and joy they have missed not having Patty around. When you watch DS people together they seem to have their own amazing connection and one feels out side their exclusive club. I had a DS friend. When I was depressed Id pop over to her and shed heal me with her tender spiritual presence. I love DS people.
This is such a moving and well done documentary. I, like every other being with a soul, was absolutely disgusted and in tears when seeing the treatment that these sweet and innocent people endured. My heart finds a brightness from people whom the world deems "disabled". They take joy in the simplest of things. I had the opportunity to volunteer as my final project for a class in college at one of our local "day program" places. I found my reason, my place where I can do the most good. I feel humanity can learn alot from "disabled" people. Too many of us take things for granted, get upset over little things... theres so many small joys in this world, we just have to stop to appreciate them. God Bless Us, Everyone ❤
I worked for NYS taking care of developmentally disabled adults as did my mother. One of her coworkers worked at Willowbrook. He couldn't really talk about it because he was traumatized. I took care of a woman who lived there for 25 years. Her father visited her at the community residence where she lived and I worked every chance he got. He harbored such anger and tremendous guilt at what was discovered happening at Willowbrook....they had fooled families that still tried to be involved with their children....
@@ericwright2594 I know that it's very difficult to understand, but it's not fair to say that the parents "threw their kids away". The attitudes were much different back then. It was thought that disabled children would be better cared for in institutions. The parents honestly didn't realize how bad these places were. Also, many of them were overwhelmed with caring for a disabled child. ABA therapy for autism didn't exist at that point. There weren't visiting nurses, respite caregivers or special education programs in most schools, so parents simply didn't have help with their children.
My perspective is probably much different than yours. I have a physically disabled sibling and 2 developmentally disabled children. Until you've personally dealt with it, it's just not easy to understand.
Compelling and heartrending, this film opens your eyes to both horror and hope. Many times I paused it to cry and pray. DON'T WATCH THIS - unless you have time to absorb its tremendous impact. DO WATCH THIS if you have a human heart.
Oh my god I can't believe what I'm seeing, I worked in a hospice until I got ill and even though the patients were terminally ill they were given respect, love, hygiene at all times no smells were ever reported why didn't these poor people ever get even the basic care, my heart hurts for these beautiful people and I am so sorry for what they went through and I hope to god those who lost their lives there are now in peace. This should never happen again xx Debbie someone who cares and respects all life
I agree with you, but they even said in the video that there were limited workers. 3 to a shift or less. What do you expect only 3 or less people to do?
Loius was so lucky to have a brother like that. All of these family members must've suffered so bad. I remember watching this when it aired, was about 13 and was mortified that American patients were treated like this. Disgraceful
"Just because he doesn't speak doesn't mean he don't have nothing to say"... so profound.
Yes!
Think this quote will stay with me all my life thank you much love 🇬🇧
That grammar.
Certainly agree 💖💖💖
@@kedhotkerri1 ? WY do people have to be so evil just because we are not the same as other person. WE ALL NEEDTO FIND THE GOD IN US. STOP STANDING AROUNDJUST SAYING WHAT A SHAME. Please people.Give help stop the hate.God CAN see you. AMEN.
Can't we all be very thankful for the courage that Geraldo Rivera showed to sneak into this place and gather information to expose the truth of what was going on? I have great respect for Geraldo Rivera and his body of work.
David Copperfield-not the magician I AM THANKFUL FOR GERALDO RIVERA WHO BUSTED OUT WITH THIS STORY OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS RESIDENTS HE SAVED ALOT OF LIVES AND GOT THE STATE INSTITUTIONS SHUT DOWN AND STAFFERS TO BE CHARGED AS CRIMINALS AND CHARGED WITH SOCIAL CRIMES AGAINST INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED PEOPLE WHO WERE LOCKED AWAY THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
@@lindathrall5133 He saved my son.
Also the doctor who gave him the key to get in.
Respect from me! God knows there are thousands of these places today that need to be shut down! Still today the kids are being medicated, slowed down, and just getting destroyed left with no ability to use their brain. Now it's detoxing from the mental abuse that was just experienced.
A true hero.
Back in the late 1960s or early 70’s my father rescued my elderly aunt from Willow Brook.💜
WOW! HOW LONG DID SHE LIVE THERE BEFORE YOUR DAD RESCUED HER?
@@Juliaz6712 too long!!! But once he found out, he took immediate steps to get her out.
Did you know that Geraldo Rivera that lunatic was the one who brought Willowbrooke to Light? I don’t know where he turned the wrong direction but when he started out, he was a good journalist. Now he’s a joke.
Bernard was interviewed again after all these years!! Oh my GOSH☺ He looks so professional in that suit!
Took everything for me not to tear up 🥺
Yes
What a sweet heart. Wish i could meet him and give him a hug.
Yes,he does,he looks good.
His smile stood out to me. He is doing good for his self and others.
That is great.
I love how there's no background music during the interviews. It really makes you feel the weight of the speaker's words. That's how documentaries ought to be.
exactly
I agree it keeps the focus on the story and the people who are more important than background music which is just a distraction 🤦🏼♀️
Very much true!
I definitely heard background music, quite like a funeral durge..
@@robertajones961 same lol. Are they watching a different video
I feel so bad for Bernard, nobody brought him toys and treats for over a decade he was alone and trapped. His mind fully functional but unable to speak up for himself or have anyone listen.
This has always been a sad spot in us history. We should never stop investigating places like this including nursing care facilities.
I agree 100% I had watch this many years ago I came across this when I was younger I studied medical and physical disabilities since I was six years old and now I am 30 and the job I have brought this back up and I’m like wait I watch that and that is the most horrid video I have ever seen in my life because of the way everybody was treated it was not like a school at all it was an institution where they did not give a Excuse my French a motherfucking damn about these people and that rips me to pieces still
Nursing care facility’s are totally disgusting they leave the old people in there own mess for hours and hours it’s awful think about all those people who died recently due to covid in those places some places where totally gutted of 90% of patents.
@@samsalamander8147 most all of the group homes and nursing facilities are short staffed. Now with these Vax mandates it's only going to get worse.
@@pawznplay2772 My best friend is severely disabled and she had something like a heart attack last week and there were so few nurses she was stuck in the ER for 3 days without a bed she needed to be admitted and they had beds but not enough Nurse staff to cover the beds she is on permanent life non invasive life support so she has to automatically go to the ICU no matter what because of her breathing machine it’s outside equipment so they will not touch it. I have to stay with her in the hospital the whole time because the nurses and Drs won’t touch her machines. They constantly consistently try to kick me out because of covid but if I leave she will die. So it’s like a huge fight the whole time. I had them discharge her against medical advice because they where going to kill her it was fucking scary. So my severely disabled sick friend is sick in pain in her bed right now and she can’t go to the hospital because they will literally kill her due to being short staffed.
@@samsalamander8147 God Bless You
Oh Bernard, I'm so sorry you suffered like that for 18 years. You have amazing strength to have survived that. I hope you're still doing well.
Im soo happy to see Bernard as a successful and thriving person.
He has such an amazing bright light inside of him and I think that also helped him survive the pain and torture he went through. I just love him and all the others who had to suffer there. This was a tough one to watch.
This is absolutely heartbreaking. I am so lucky and proud to have grandparents who had the strength, love and determination to defy the Drs when they were told to institutionalise my uncle born with Down syndrome. I am also grateful to grow up with my uncle in my life and the amazing lessons in love, patience, understanding and compassion he has taught me.
I recently worked in a Group Home for 6 years and it was by far the BEST "job" I have ever had. It gave my life Purpose! And like you mentioned too, they taught me PATIENCE, understanding, and a little bit of a different way to looking at life. Thank God these institutions are fading out and being replaced by Group Homes. We assisted them with everyday essentials eventually being something they would do on there own. The PRIDE and DIGNITY that glowed on their faces made me HAPPY. 😊❤
You sound like a blessing yourself.
💯% AGREED!!! My sister gave us her daughter who ended up having a lot of issues, autism being one of many ... She was 2 when she came to us, today she is 27! I can honestly say, she is my best friend! I wouldn't be the person I am today w/out her in my life ❤️ She has taught me so much about life, "dis"ability, courage, and forgiveness! I'm so greatful to my sis 4 giving us this beautiful human instead of throwing her away in a horrible place like this. Makes me want to 😢 cry.. I'm so sorry to all of you who were exposed to this hell. May God bless the days you have left on this earth❤️ May God give you all the biggest mansions w/ walkways of 🪙 gold when you get to Heaven!! You all are in my prayers 🙏💕
I'm from Lowell Mass. My grandparents founded, R.A.R.A. RETARTED ADULT REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION, when my Aunt was determined to be mentally retarded. They were not going to put her away, or treat her any differently than her 5 brothers and sisters. Place was awesome. Back then it was all volunteers and donations. Today, unfortunately it's a business.
Pp0 of 0p0
I worked at a new residential home in NY, where the residents were transplanted from Willowbrook. It was so very sad. They could not feed, wash, dress themselves. They had no idea what a “schedule” was…we had to rehabilitate them into a more normal, safe clean life. They had NO idea what was going on…but, they were humans! They were afraid of showers bc they all used to stand in a room naked and the staff there would hose them down. Many of the residents were combative. It never ever should have happened!
I grew up on L.I. and worked in NYC at the time at my dad's co. (I was only about 11-13 when Willowbrook was closing.) Being overly sheltered, I never heard of Willowbrook. I'm horrified and sorry for what caretakers had to deal with in the aftermath. Bless you. I was aware of the similar problem at Credemore, but thought that was the whole shebang for the NY metro area. This should NEVER have happened. As an attorney, I sure hope civil lawsuits and criminal indictments flew! (Then again, things were entirely different back then in the "olden days." In another comment, a gal's mother called these innocent and loving souls "earth angels." I think that's the most appropriate term I've ever heard.
How sad. And this makes me cry.
@@allisonmarlow184 "earth angels" and they are. I have a son with Down Syndrome that also has Selective Mutism he tries to talk only when his sister & niece & nephew comes over to visit. I worry about him because I'm getting more & more disabled in my legs. He helped me this afternoon and carried up my 12pks of cola and that was so sweet. If I'm hurting in my leg he puts his hand on it like he's healing the pain. They truly are Angels here on Earth. I love my son with my all and wish I could do more for him. My profile picture is of me & him about 10 - 11 yrs ago when he was in middle school. I don't want him to go away, but I do want to find a place for him that he can go (during the day) to help him learn more of what he needs to know in this life before I leave this world. That's my only fear of death now is my baby boy being left behind 😥💔
@@OgramRavot21 How are doing now, and how's your leg pain?? May I suggest Margo that you find a residence that will take your son in where he can come home on weekends and I'm sure theres one close to you, in the beginning it will be sad not to have him around everyday but then you can look forward to his weekend home visits and you will not be so consumed with the thought of dying that you forget to live, right now u are merely existing so try to sort your son out so that you both can have peace of mind and the joy of living returns. I wish you well
@@OgramRavot21 Margo, your disability may just be a "blessing" for your son. Bear with me. Helping you gives him purpose, is rewarding to him, exchanges love between you, and mostly teaches him sooo much. This helps him grow in so many ways -- and also helps you... I would look for a program that helps teach him about helping you as well as living in a group home setting. But one that lets him stay at home as long as possible. Just a thought. I'd say you have quite an Earth Angel!
I’m a medical professional and this makes me sick to my stomach. I care for people with a wide range of disabilities and I love watching them learn and grow in confidence and just come into themselves a little so seeing people with disabilities treated like this.. it’s so against my nature that it’s repulsive 🤢
Unfortunately there are bad apples in the system who abuse the system and use it as to "control others". ...
Oh, Dear Laurajayne Nolan, if it was not for outstanding health care providers who are dedicated to help us the system would have been corrupted long time ago. The sad thing since the great professionals like you when speaking up or stand up they find away to get rid of you or the best ones can't handle all what they see so they close their practice or move. So, God bless you for caring for all who needs care. Don't give up. God prevail thank you.
And now in scandinavia ultrasound etc does that many are aborted instead
@@lindalund9621 now that they're aborting people who are disabled in a few years governments will start killing off all those who are perceived to be threats to 'national security.' Look out world it's coming soon.
@@peacew9325 agreed
I love the way that Luis' brother told us about him. It's wonderful that he has these stories to share, just like we all do about each other. It shows that he sees his brother as a real person, not just a sad story.
Truly heartwarming a story close to my own. Mom and Dad never let the state take custody of my brother. He graduated high school and worked at Goodwill Industries. He is retired living in a group home. Happy and comfortable.
Blessings to all. Prayers work miracles.
Exactly thank you, my son came from my womb, he is my responsibility and my joy.
Yes ♥️
Bernard is such a smart, funny, wise handsome positive man. God bless him
I hate seeing this I have bad ADD and ADHD from encephalitis and my teachers in my first years of elementary school they tried to tell my family I was autistic my mom and my doctors said the opposite but this one teacher was determined to make me appear autistic. Teaching me to read slower pulling me away from my regular class and would even video tape me at recess and tell me my behavior was odd. Thank god my parents got me out of that school the final straw was when that teacher told me mom I would never learn past the age of 8 now I'm in college I graduate next year with a college degree in human services and my goal is to help children get out of or away from what happened to me because no one deserves that.
Smh!!!
I hope you go pay that teacher a visit with your framed degree I'm reading these comments a year later so congratulations on your graduation
Professionals must learn to listen first
Read body language use compassionate love.
Then they can talk editing their thoughts..
Unfortunately, there's many like those.
I am glad you had a supportive mom. There are many parents that are not like your mom, poor kids.
Bless your entire existence. Congratulations on your degree when you get it!
I work with individuals who came from willowbrook. You can see the last effects of what they endured. We must protect them at all cost!
I watched the original . I’m now almost 70. It was so awful I will never forget it. It still makes me cry for those children. The children whose came to see them probably did get some what treatment then those whose parents never did. Did they want to get rid of their children. Well, it’s sad to think doctors and priests and family members would encourage people to do that. God bless those children.
No, they didn't want to get rid of their children. They loved them very much. They wanted to do what was best for the child and were told by respected individuals/ authority figures the best thing were these types of facilities.
We know more about mental impairments now than we did back then, professionals as well as lay people. Today, treatment and therapies are available on out patient bases. To my knowledge, only the severely mentally and physically disabled or insane are institutionalized. Families prefer to take care of their kids on their own if they are able.
Most of the institutions were shut down in the 70s and early 80s. State and federal regulations governing the remaining facilities and group homes are more stringent now than they were back then. I'm sure you will agree there have been vast improvements since the 1800s!
I really don’t understand how people can treat those with disabilities as less than human. It makes me feel ashamed. Everyone deserves to be loved and respected
Walk a mile in their shoes
My little guy has autism and adhd. He’s a funny and bright young man whose greatest passion is to read. Whilst only nine he reads at an advanced level. Never could I imagine for a second to send him to a place like this.
My heart truly broke watching this.
I started watching and thought I could move on, I couldn’t. Everyone needs to watch this and never let anything remotely happen like this again.
I'm autistic. Had a college reading level by 11, and enjoyed reading college textbooks. I get told all the time how smart I am, by everyone. But there's this extreme disconnect from social life, because all I like to do is read. That's it
@@spasegeek9214no ones perfect. Id rather have a high IQ and be a little awkward than the other way around 👍
There are so many people who are being abused not only in State hospitals, but in nursing homes as well.
Just so sad that wherever there are disenfranchised there are those that want to take advantage of them, it doesn't matter what the cause. Those kind of sick evil people will find a way.
i work at a nursing home as a CNA… and it makes me SICK seeing how nurses and other CNA’s treat the residents… it’s awful. i continue to work there to help them as much as i can.
Most of the people who would have been in State Hospitals are now on the streets or in prisons.
43:53 "After all you've been through, do you think you deserve the best?"
"You're damn right I do!"
Best part of the whole story!!
Was just looking through the comments to see if anyone else said as much, was trying to find his name, but I guess the time stamp would suffice!
Soon as he said that, I got the biggest smile on my face! Fuck yea he does, all of them earned it!
I know so many people not living with such extreme difficulties that have just become bitter throughout their lives.
Seeing all this man has been through and the pure drive & strength for something more is absolutely incomparable.
Heartbreakingly beautiful
And had enough class to say we all do, what lovely human beings they all are.
Was sad to read Louis died before the end of filming.
That was hilarious when his brother figured out he knew how to play people.
Even funnier, the dress thing, I hope the lady was understanding.
That has to be the shittiest part about it for them. As we age we instinctively look for a partner and they can feel the urge but can't express it.
That was heart wrenching to watch, second time I sat through it though and I'll watch it again some day..
Peace to you and thanks for the nice comment. Fun reading those after the documentaries, always...
My beloved son is high functioning autistic. It is amazing how devoted our German shepherd is towards him. Today he got a hair cut and our dog Max never took his eyes off the hair stylist.
Oh girl! same here i have a high functioning 19 year old son and a nonverbal 3 year old. And i am like your sons german Shepard i watch everyone like a hawk when they are around my kids. ... this video is proof of the cruelty and dismissal of people with disabilities. It was hard to watch. Animals are angels in disguise. blessings to you.
My son has asbergers and became a dr everyone told me he was extremely disabled 😒 can't trust the system
@@goldielocks8231 that’s awesome!!!! I bet your one proud momma!!! ❤️
dogs are so loyal,nonjudgmental , compassionate, they intuitively know when one needs more help.
What an awesome brother you are and very honest.
Can't find enough money to give these people proper care but there's never a problem finding cash to fund ludicrous wars or the next missile/fighter jet.
Yep, we have to get to Mars regardless of $$$$$ .
Precisely
*Yes!*
It sure must be nice to have a country with a big military that prevents a other country invading you and surpressing you.
Somehow we can blow billions on a jet that can’t even fly but we can’t take care of our most vulnerable, this mindset is a stain on this country.
My Grandmother's younger sister was born in 1909, developmentally disabled. Her parents kept her at home, and I grew up with her in my Grandparent's home. She had a great life, and died at 75 years old. I doubt she would have flourished if they hadn't kept her at home. No creature with a soul should live like they had to in those hell holes.
I worked from 1972 until 2010 in a psychiatric hospital I witness a few unethical events those monster were fired. I love giving those suffering with mental health illness hope and seeing their progress throughout my years of employment. The hospital I worked had good workers who looked after the patients like their family. You're blessed when you have a healthy brain and good physical health. Peace and love to humanity ❤
Were you a physician or a ... 'behavioral tech?'
Reinhold Von Treffencaunbowz, MBBS, PhD
I worked as a rehab counselor.
Seeing this interview of Bernard nearly brought me to tears.. shame on his loved ones. So so so heartbreaking😓
Growing up my mother did respite care. At one point we had 11-12 children in our home. Ranging from down syndrome to spine bifida. I was so fortunate to have had the experience of growing up with every single one of these children. I almost envy them. To be so happy and not understand all the ugly in our world is a blessing. 30 years later i still relish the memories made from that time.
❤
When I was studying special education this was required viewing. It was the longest class of my life, but invaluable to what I learned.
I was one of the people who worked in a private facility for intellectually and physically disabled adults. It's not an easy job - but I loved it. The people you serve become friends and just like anyone else ... you have fun with them, you get peeved with them, you enjoy special experiences and have great relationships - they become part of your heart. I never understood how people who worked at large state institutions could justify the way they treated other human beings and felt they were somehow better or more "evolved" so they could, apparently without guilt, give "care" on the level of that given animals in a feedlot or puppy mill (which, of course, is also heinous).
Totally agree
This makes me so angry. This could have been my mother. She was born in 1953 paralyzed from tge waist down due to a birth injury. Her parents were told to institutionalize her. However my grandparents took her home and treated her like the other 3 children. She even had chores and expected of the same as the others. When they went out to play.She went out to play.. Even as a 2 yr old sat in the dirt to play with toys like her siblings.
My mom is the best mother and very able...and most of that has to do with parents who saw potential..and her family who always tried to encourage her... Making sure she had all the same rights and stimulation as her bros and sister.
Please rethink before u make this decision.
ANGELEE that is a wonderful comment to share! It’s so sad the way professionals would pressure people to just put their children into care. Bless your grandparents, unconditional love & family is the best medicine for ANY person!
Oh God bless your grandparents! My Grandmother died in a mental institution, in Pennsylvania. That institution has since been turned into a haunted house theme park. 40$ a carload to drive and visit the buildings during the Halloween season. How infuriated this makes me. I will do something to stop this!
Wow that was a close one! I am so happy to hear you mom did not experience any Trama.
how is she now
but why did her parents not raise her
These siblings are the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Having these struggles in their lives has molded them into extraordinarily compassionate, honest souls. God bless these families. I want to hug them all! 💔
Anyone that feels like they are being shortchanged or not getting opportunities others are getting should watch this and pay special attention to Bernard. The challenges he faced as a child and growing up I cannot fathom, I have the upmost respect for all the fellow Americans featured in this documentary.
He now has a Master's Degree in Health Care Administration.
I just love Louis brother. I’m taking care if my very ill father and it is a 100% new experience for me. He’s so articulately explaining all the feelings.
I hope your doing good today. I know it can be very hard to tend to an ill family member.
I've supported folks with developmental disabilities for over 20 years. This documentary keeps my heart and mind focused on why I chose to do what I do. 💗
What do you do?
Everyone is born with a different set of strengths and weaknesses. So called disabled people often have the most beautiful way to show pure love and affection. It's heartbreaking to imagine all those people being locked away and abused in such horrible ways. Just look at Patty. How happy she is in her relationship. Today she could have lived a pretty normal life. My heart also breaks for Bernard. He obviously is a highly intelligent person. The horrible conditions aside, the boredom alone must have been living hell.
AWEtistic ruclips.net/video/1UCFBjt36rs/видео.html
Elizabeth Barbaro This was both heartbreaking and impressive, such a brave woman, thank you for sharing the link to her story.
I hope that the man with the disabled brother, Louis, eventually found a wife and had a family of his own. I know from experience how hard it is and I pray for more support for disabled people and their caretakers. I know that this is an old film but the problem has never and will never go away.
Guys the mom actually said “I have a special love with a bit of shame bc I sent him to willowbrook and my other kids where here with me,” I also think she meant “I don’t want him feeling like I love him less bc he wasn’t with me” dang it hit me. It must’ve been so hard for her not knowing how to communicate and fight for her son. Breaks my heart yoo
My grandparents adopted a mentally handicapped child at 3 days old… he’s almost 30 now, I can’t imagine how his life would be if he did become part of our family
Bernard: “You’re damn right I deserve the best.” That’s my favorite part of this documentary.
These poor people how horrible it was for them, I can't for the life of me begin to tell how awful and inhumane this fu**ing place was. It makes me sick.😓😓😓
My best friend had a younger brother with DS....they taught him just like any of their children , raised him at home in a normal environment....he became mostly independent in his life...he did well without institutions ...he attended a day school at University where they researched ....turned out to be an excellent man unfortunately he died about 5 yrs ago....as he had health problems also....but lived a good life....he was always happy!
I had a grandmother with special needs who was hidden away as a child, a century later and my own daughter with downs is known and loved by everyone 🥰
My uncle had DS..he died last year at the age of 69. It has been interesting to see how attitudes have changed over the decades - he started off institutionalised but ended up living an independent, fulfilled life - just how it should be ❤
yes how the most vulnerable in our society are treated when no one is looking.
@Jen Rich You are correct. Abuse happened recently on a community bus we all take. Talked down to. One girl got her hand hit. Shushed shut up all the time towards us. She pinned the doors on me. I could not move. I told her she had me stuck. She said she thought i was in. Flat tone did not care. Dislikes all of us.
ONE WAY TO SEE HOW DEVELOPED A SOCIETY IS,
IS BY LOOKING THE WAY THEY TREAT THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND ANIMALS.
i believe ghandi said that...you can tell a lot about people the way they treat their animals
Very true! Thanks for writing that to remind us all!
Well said!
@@autogirl53208 "The greatness of a nation & it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated"
I believe no matter what you should raise that child.i know it's hard I have a s on with a Austin and I lo 've him with my heart.he my booger butt he's 21
Louis brother is the most incredible brother in the world. With all my heart I hope he has a beautiful family and children of his own. Bless this whole family ❤️
i just wanna give that man a hug...the one with cerebral palsy
He is the sweetest, funniest, kindest person you could ever meet. I know him through an old family friend.
I think he passed away after being a representative for disabled ppl. I think it was in the last few years
Such a lovely guy, what an awful thing too be put through
I have Cerebral Palsy and a college graduate. This is shocking.
@@carmenburton4918 no he didn't lol, he's still alive. He was a guest speaker at my college today lol
20:30 it broke my heart when Bernard told that story about how his family abandoned him.
I think the saddest part was the very ending when they listed everybody's names and it started off with the person with the disability and then listed their family underneath.. Patty ann meskell then all 3 sisters ... Luis Rivera and then his mom and brothers ... Margaret Goodman and her mom willy mae .. and then just "Bernard Cerrabello" nothing underneath his name, no family to mention.. i made it through this whole video without crying, but that's what got me... Also, the Italian older man, talked about his son as if he died.. the whole video I figured he passed at willowbrook, come to find out he lives in the same town at a developmental center for the last SIXTEEN years waiting for placement into a group home.. like what a scumbag, you wasted how many years of your sons life by hiding him away at Willowbrook, only to get him out and talk about him as a "has been" knowing hes probably not getting much better treatment where he is now.. that really rubbed me wrong. this whole thing is terribly sad...
...could have been any of us. It really hit me when I met a group of young women...out shopping for their clothes, which they did every 6 months. They were all happy and excited about coming for clothes. I asked one woman, where she lived and it was a group home not more then 45 min away.They all had different emotional and mental issues, physical and health problems I never knew about it. I was 40 at the time. I asked more casual questions then her age...40... she was born a month ahead of me. Itstayed with me. Really. it could have been any of us.
Yes. You never know what life hands you when you are born.
Such a good point
My oldest son has autism. He is the most hard working, kind, sensitive, stands up for those who were wronged, smart, and anything you'd want out of a kid. I could never imagine ever placing him in a Hell like this.
As is my son with autism. My son is funny, when I asked him to do a chore, he replied ''in due time'' I said really? he told me that he ''has an itinerary'' so we'll wait a few weeks. lol
I cant help but think that some of these moms loved their kids like that too but there were no options for them like we have now. They truly thought they were doing the very best thing for their child they could.
@@shellyseats5630 exactly. It's not perfect now but we should count our blessings that it's not how it was.
@@shellyseats5630 I don't agree because any parent who loved their child would have visited the place first, then would never have left their child there. Turthfully I wouldn't have left my dog there.
@@marilynwillett804 I couldn’t agree more, when my son was diagnosed in 86 with autism the doctor told there was a place ready for my boy at hope lodge, even back in 86 they were trying to part mams from there children, Needless to say my boy is with his mammy, who loves him more than life! Love outweighs everything!!
Geraldo hit the nail on the head with the comment about assembly line care. Willowbrook was not unique in their approach...they were just a little more sloppy. Psych wards, prisons, nursing homes and other places where people are warehoused will always have abuse/neglect problems.
💯 😑
There's a rehab in tucson, AZ.
that treats the patients horribly.
And they get away with it, especially now during all the covid shenanigans because visitors are not allowed, they don't give information to other nursing staff when they come on duty, they don't care for the clients well, the whole place reeks of urine.
We had an acquaintance to his place there and went downhill so drastically,
he looks like he almost starved to death,
They lost his paperwork,
they lost his personal belongings,
The facility staff members had his wallet, and his pin for his credit card as well as the card itself in their personal belongings,
They lost his medical aids that he needs.
They lost his clothing.
He recently was placed in a different Care facility and is already doing much better.
I wish that one place specifically would be shut down.
The first name of the place starts with the letter P,
And the last name of the place is Avenue.
If you have a loved one that needs a care facility in Tucson Arizona, please do not send them to the one with the tree on their awning!
And did he ever do follow up ?or it was just show and rating s?
GERALDO WAS RIGHT ON THE MONEY WITH HIS INVESTIGATION
@@maryellenpereda7604 Yes the follow-up is the patients were transferred to a new facility and were well cared for as they should have been...
I worked, for a few months, in the early 80's, at similar type of institute for children. Being assigned from teens to infants. None who could speak. None who could feed themselves. All wore diapers. I remember 5 specifically in my care but there were several more. It was just me and a nurse. In one 8hr shift all I did was feedings, changing diapers, bathing, dressing. No time for anything else. It was sad because they were so lonely and bored and no visitors, no therapies of any kind. No one on one love and attention. I could see that all of them had potential for a better life than that and deserved more. A special needs child actually needs more than one carer and I didnt understand why there werent more staff. To be put in a place like Willowbrook looks far worse. I also worked on a pediatric ward (medical side) and in one 8hr shift I had to care for up to 10 infants with another med tech who cared for the rest and one nurse. same thing feeding, changing bathing dressing meds. No time for any special attention. Nor parents to come and visit. Its like that in nearly every care type of situation. everywhere. everyday. still.
FUCK !!’
That's why the staff should be extra caring because of this reason.
@@nicolenewsome4863 they don't have time. They are taking care of basic needs. Read her post again.
@@madhatter909 I read her post right the first time thank you.
Luis’ mother is just precious. She loves her children more than anything and she feels profoundly guilty for leaving her child in that horrid place for so many years. I empathize with her. I’m not a mother, but I am a woman and a loving person. I cannot imagine how painful it must have been for her and the entire family.
It was easy for her, throw them away, out of sight out of mind. Family love wasn't there at all.
@@angie-kbm 💯🎯 all these families are full of shit no one will ever throw away what's important to them especially family
@@angie-kbm you're a foul person, I feel sorry for you
@@angie-kbm Wft is wrong with you?
The mom is such a sweetheart, and she meant well for him.
I was a home health CNA for 5 years. I would get attached to a lot of my patients. With one specific patient I had, I was like a part of the family dynamic surrounding him and how they cared for him at home. He was just like Louis, diagnosed with cerebral palsy and also epilepsy. His mother briefly told me the story about how her son was admitted into a state hospital like Willowbrook back in the 60s.
When he was born, he wasn't diagnosed with cerebral palsy yet, but within the first couple years, his development was delayed, and his behavior got worse. When he was a toddler, he could walk, and so there were times when he would try to break out of the house and run away. A scared single mother of 6 kids and one child having these problems...the mother felt she had no choice for his safety but to admit him into a state mental hospital where he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and stayed there for almost 30 years. However, he was not cared for the way he needed to be. When they finally shut the facility down, he finally got to go home to his family, but there were physical and mental signs of abuse and neglect. He was eligible for round the clock home Healthcare, and his quality of life was all that mattered. I think he might still be alive today, I hope! Every time I hear stories about these poor people who had to endure these places, I think back to Danny.
"Everybody deserves the best, we all do." You damn right!
As a mother of a child that has autism. I couldn’t imagine putting my kid in a place like this. I understand why. And that parents thought they were doing what was best. They were deceived and lied to. Basically forced to give their kids up.
My son had a wonderful specialist who said. There’s no such thing as normal. That’s typical and atypical. But what’s normal to you isn’t normal to me. What’s normal to me isn’t to you.
My heart breaks for the victims and families.
There is such a thing as normal and it doesn't depend on our personal opinion, normal is ''what most are'' or '''what most do'. Every word has a valid meaning. IF most have blue eyes in Kentucky then it's normal to have blue eyes in Kentucky. One doesn't have to be normal to fit into society,. No they weren't deceived, they chose to leave their child there. I'd be dead before my son would be left in Willowbrook.
I certainly have to agree with you my son is also autism, and he is the love of my life he just started to speak in September of 2021 and he didn't speak before that he is about to turn 5 years old! I couldn't change him for anything in the world or give him up!! He makes me so proud, you can barley understand him still but he is trying and we are on a waiting list for any kind of support and help for him
I’m not here to judge anyone ,but how on earth could a parent go visit their child see this and walk out? How could this happen?
In New York State and surrounding areas, there were no other options. This was such a common thing to commit a mentally challenged person in the 50s that they would’ve been instructed to do so by doctors. People felt immense amount of shame and failure because of how society viewed them. If you were relying on state care or lived in that area, you would’ve basically had to leave your child there. It’s so hard to imagine for us now, thank god
I visited my son every month. They hid all the horrors; I never saw them.
@@resumewriter1 I understand, I’m sorry !
@@resumewriter1 so very sorry! I’ve never been in your situation, so again I say I’m sorry
Still in 2020 more has to be done about care for people instead people think it’s about their image what have we learned nothing
This film was assigned to me for my human service class. As someone who works closely with children who have disabilities. This film was hard for me to watch. However, I have experienced the joy a child with disabilities has. How they help you see the world through a simpler perspective. I can say that speaking is not just the only form of communication. Everyone communicates in their own way, and it’s up to us to listen and learn other people. When you take the time to know who someone is, you can create such a special bond with a person. Everyone deserves to be heard and just wants to be treated with love and care. 💛
Same
Absolutely. Working in a group home was the same as you described and when you see their smile or laughs it's the best feeling EVER ! Keep up with your awesomeness with these special people ❤
Thank you for sharing
This film was assigned for my Disabilities and Special Ed. Course, and I agree, this was very very hard to watch, I have a younger sister who is Autistic, and this truly hurt my heart to watch.
Watch
A CHILD IS WAITING
Floods of tears. How can humans do this to other humans?
the same was humans enslave other humans, lynched them, starved them and everything else. monsters.
Because they didn't see them as human beings.
@@Karmen2010 and to think that so many of these "nursing staff" went home to look after and love their own children and families after. Yet they treated these poor souls, who cried out for help, even someone just to hold them and say It will be OK, less than dirt. It's heartbreaking. I recently saw the 5th Estate program on the children's and babies bodies found in the grounds of the old residential school set up by the RC Church in Kamloops. Just like Tuam here in Ireland. Actually felt nauseous hearing the testimonies by survivors.
This was my dad's first job his senior year of high-school early 70's It didn't last too long he said he couldn't stand the conditions in there and how the people was treated my dad said he seen kids come in that may have had disabilities but was very smart and full of love and life just wither and lose life they became like animals in a way because they was treated that way . The cries use to get him . All kinds of abuse people knew but nothing was done or said about it. The cries screams and moans killed him. 😢 he later became a Correction officer then a dean of Leak and watts children's detention school . He used what he learned and saw in Willowbrook to have compassion and look out for the children of that school he retired from both jobs . The kids he worked with in both places rikers and leak and watts respected my dad and many came out and thanked my dad for his caring and sometimes sterness for being like a dad to them.
I remember that place,
A friend of mine worked there. And she was a newly wed. Two months of working there she fell sick and died of hepatitis. She was buried in her wedding dress. Her husband was devastated.
I am so glad that Louis is surrounded by love and family. They all deserve many blessings.
Bernard just warmed my heart and brought a big smile to my face
Yes he did 😢
The guilt those mothers feel is heartbreaking! my lovely grandmother had to put her first child into one of these places because she had 4 other children to care for all under the age of 5..no help for her at all not even her beloved husband stepped up...it’s just the way it was...it broke my lovely nan until the day she took her last beautiful breath 💔
Her conscience was telling her to go get her child.. Do you think God wouldn't have provided?
God might not always provide.
Geraldo got a bad rap with some of the shenanigans on his talk show. But he is truly a top-notch journalist. How brave was he to just walk in and expose this horror??
You better invest some time into Geraldo. He’s a disgrace. His disgusting journalism almost got MANY of our troops killed.!! He gave away our positions. Almost caused a war in another instance. Nobody respects him.!!!! They think he’s a joke. Which he is. He may have done one good thing and that’s about it. He’s just a wanna be.
My elder brother was disabled but there was alot of family who care for him he stayed with us his 11 siblings and parents. He worked for a man started at 14 years. He was a leather craft man for 25 years. The man who hired him was incredible if only I could tell. He was not without his family I was there for him in his 70s and when he passed away.
It was exposing the horrors of these institutions that brought change and real support to families with these awesome and special kids.
As a preteen I volunteered at a small place that was clean and nice...yet when I began to teach the children with Downs, I was told; "Don't bother, they wont learn"...but at 14, I knew they were learning and enjoying learning.
I grew up to work with children with special needs a a result of this simple girl scout assignment.
I thankGod for the wonderful, almost miraculous changes society has made in these last decades. We now integrate and accommodate our brothers and sisters into the world with us...where they have always belonged, and where they lift us up as we lift them up!!
Well said
I want to say thank you Geraldo Rivera God Bless you I have aspergers I function as normal as anybody else but it takes me a bit longer to process the information coming into my brain but once it all comes together I am a quick learner I could have been in one of these places
So happy for these individuals. I pray that whatever time the Lord gives them is spent living their best life.
The guy with the bother in the wheel chair has thought it out so deeply his mom feels so deeply. Trying to understand his brother and the way he expresses himself and how he feels basic human emotions really makes you think about the human mind. I hope they're happy today.
That Willowbrook setting is enough to make a normal person go insane in just a few minutes. This is inhumane. No one was truly caring for any of these people. Many might have thrived at home with their loving families. I am sure many of these families were heartbroken and tormented for their decisions to institutionalize a loved one.
I was born with Crockett feet my mom said I had to where braces on my feet and then my mom found out that I had a Learning disability my mom and dad would never put me in a group home my mom worked with me and tutors every Saturday and I have my own apartment now and Iam 55 years old and I take care of a cat and I work at emerald queen casino in Fife I've been working nine years I refuse to be locked up in a group home group homes are like going to prison I have my own key to my house
Laurie Alvaro having a leaning disability and crooked feet are not reasons to put you in an institution, children who could never live on their own where put there
@@lishialindh25 That's not true. Plenty of children who the parents couldn't feed were institutionalized with nothing wrong with them also children with behavioural problems but no mental retardation were put in hospitals/asylums too.
Laurie Alvaro- Good for you 👍 Hope you are well & Have a wonderful Holiday!❤💕
Good for you sweetheart!
@@lishialindh25 my mom had me institutionalized bc she just didnt fucking want me, i have autism and cerebral palsy but it's all extremely mild, they took me in. But instead of being awful, it was amazing. I didnt want to leave. Its terrible for anyone to have to go theough such harsh and extreme conditions and abuse
My daughter was born with Cornelia De Lange syndrome. She's 35 years old, mentally disabled. She has the mental age of about 8 years of age. She lives in a great group home for disabled adults. She has her own room and bathroom. One roommate who has their own room and bathroom. She has staff 24/7. This film really broke my heart.
How dare the government and society in general leave these vulnerable people
Like this it’s turned my stomach to see how people are treated
Poor people and families that have suffered so much ....
new world shortly
You might like this. It's from a survivor
ruclips.net/video/1UCFBjt36rs/видео.html
As someone with mental disorders I’m glad I live in a time where it’s more understood I couldn’t imagine having to survive these places
I seen the Hiraldo Rivera documentary thank God for him exposing Willowbrook for what it was. I'm so glad to see that things have improved for these special beautiful people. God Bless Bernard I wish him all the very best in fact I wish all those people all the very best. Thank you Hiraldo Rivera.
Condolences to Luis's family for the loss of Luis.
When Louis mother explains why she feels guilty about his treatment at Willowbrook @38:00...the emotion in her voice... ..heartbreaking. I hope his brother the oldest with the weight of the family responsibility on him...I so hope he was able to finally have a family of his own.
So y did she leave him there? It obviously didn’t bother her that much
It is heartbreaking to see what was going on several blocks from where I grew up on Staten Island, New York. In 1979 I was working with autistic children. There was a Special Olympics held that I attended with a child I worked with and his family. I went looking for a bathroom for him. All I found was a building still filled with the smell of urine and something else vile and the sounds of screaming. It was horrific.
Oh wow that is so sad. Was that Willowbrook?
I want to give respect and gratitude to the families because it is SO DIFFICULT on them!!!! I was the director on one of these places and it's VERY MUCH still like this! I can't even begin to tell you how hard it was every single day just to get my staff to do their jobs. Because of this, the turnaround of staff was constant. Unfortunately, places like this today still exist and reform HAS TO BEGIN!
Why didn’t reform begin when you were a director of one of these shit holes….back then.
Why doesn't a reform begin with you?
@@nicolenewsome4863 can't do it alone my friend! This is only the beginning of reform, which is making people aware. It takes a village for change to work and be successful
Check history
My heart breaks for all these parents and the guilt they feel. We make the best decisions with the information we have at the moment. Fortunately this hell hole was closed down and we now have the resources and education to care for our family members that need a little extra attention and care.
Ive worked in human services for about 20 yrs now , its where my heart is , i know the past stories of many who lived in institutions , its heart breaking bc there is nothing in the world like home for those who are disabled , you see what could have been for many had they resided at home where they would have had a better opportunity to thrive and feel loved , some of these institutions were horrific ! ..residential care was the best thing they did for those who came from institutions or whos families can no longer care for them , my heart goes out to these parents , i also have a son with D.S he is the most amazing little boy , i could not imagine our home without him
my heart is so hurt for these beloved fellow human beings, I have two loving grandsons with autism, they are loved and are an important part of our family, we are blessed to have them with us, and raised by us
The man at the beginning of this documentary absolutely made me almost cry my eyes out! I wish I could have reached him and given him a big hug, and let him know that he is loved and valued by those who appreciate him. Shame on his family! This entire documentary is disturbing, and heartbreaking!
my Aunt Elaine was disabled from a car accident when she was 6 months old. she spent 2 years in a body cast. crushed nerves in her face made communication difficult but family never had a problem understanding her. her left leg was shorter than her right because of the 2 years in body cast so she walked with her right foot flat on the ground and only tippy-toes on the left foot.
when Mom was dating Dad, she introduced him to the family and my aunt asked him "are you a man or a mouse? speak up mouse!" when we were kids, Mom took the 5 of us to the park and my aunt went with us. another mother brought her kids to the park. we all saw them talking behind their hands and pointing fingers at Aunt Elaine. we were mad at the other kids but she gracefully and humorously shut them down! her comment back to them was if they wanted to see something really funny, go home and look in the mirror!
my grandparents never considered putting her in any home. she was raised at home with her 3 sisters. she lived life her way! Aunt Elaine passed 15 years ago and I will never forget her smile! like the sisters said of Patty, she was love. most beautiful redhead I've ever seen!
Oh that's an awesome story. It sounds like your Aunt was a beautiful soul. And a little sassy 😄. I would have loved to have met her.
@@michellehitt1976 she was very sassy and didn’t take guff from anyone! Aunt Elaine could tell you baseball statistics from start to current. Just pick a team and she’d tell you all you could want to know. Any team any player. Country music she knew complete libraries on every artist she loved. She may not have been so physically enabled but her mind was amazing just like she was!
@@karencroy9386 Oh wow sounds like she was a smart cookie. If you don't mind me asking, did she live a long life?
@@michellehitt1976 she was 65 when she passed. Many people attended her service family and friends. She was loved by so many in what seems so short of a time. Of course I’ll always wish for just one more day with each of those I’ve lost knowing it’s not to be in this lifetime.
Absolutely very moving throughout with mixed emotions, thankfully thank you for sharing and forever never be forgotten.
Lewis is lovely his smile melts your heart and he is so much like his big brother, you can see he loves his brother in his eyes x debbie
Bernard is amazing. I don't know him but I am so proud of him. He was brave to keep his head up. He had a rough childhood. It looks like his older years were happier and he looks loved and well taken care of ☺️💟
He earned a Master's degree in Health Care Administration 😊
I remember watching this when it came out, I was very young at the time and have never forgotten it. It made such a deep impression on me.
This documentary is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.
So its breakwarming?
As a father this video reminds me how much kids see and know and understand. These people visited their family members as children and totally got what was going on. Totally and sadly.
Adorable Patty. I feel so sorry for the family in all the love and joy they have missed not having Patty around.
When you watch DS people together they seem to have their own amazing connection and one feels out side their exclusive club.
I had a DS friend. When I was depressed Id pop over to her and shed heal me with her tender spiritual presence. I love DS people.
R.I.P Luis, that smile of his lights up the room
This is such a moving and well done documentary. I, like every other being with a soul, was absolutely disgusted and in tears when seeing the treatment that these sweet and innocent people endured. My heart finds a brightness from people whom the world deems "disabled". They take joy in the simplest of things. I had the opportunity to volunteer as my final project for a class in college at one of our local "day program" places. I found my reason, my place where I can do the most good. I feel humanity can learn alot from "disabled" people. Too many of us take things for granted, get upset over little things... theres so many small joys in this world, we just have to stop to appreciate them. God Bless Us, Everyone ❤
Souls don't exist. Minor injuries to the brain can cut off empathy.
I worked for NYS taking care of developmentally disabled adults as did my mother. One of her coworkers worked at Willowbrook. He couldn't really talk about it because he was traumatized. I took care of a woman who lived there for 25 years. Her father visited her at the community residence where she lived and I worked every chance he got. He harbored such anger and tremendous guilt at what was discovered happening at Willowbrook....they had fooled families that still tried to be involved with their children....
That's what happens when you throw your kids away
@@ericwright2594 I know that it's very difficult to understand, but it's not fair to say that the parents "threw their kids away". The attitudes were much different back then. It was thought that disabled children would be better cared for in institutions. The parents honestly didn't realize how bad these places were. Also, many of them were overwhelmed with caring for a disabled child. ABA therapy for autism didn't exist at that point. There weren't visiting nurses, respite caregivers or special education programs in most schools, so parents simply didn't have help with their children.
My perspective is probably much different than yours. I have a physically disabled sibling and 2 developmentally disabled children. Until you've personally dealt with it, it's just not easy to understand.
Compelling and heartrending, this film opens your eyes to both horror and hope. Many times I paused it to cry and pray. DON'T WATCH THIS - unless you have time to absorb its tremendous impact. DO WATCH THIS if you have a human heart.
i had to watch this for my orientation to special ed class and it was so hard to watch
I was in a hospital shut down by the state. It was a hundred times better than Willowbrook.
Way to go Giraldo!!!! Thank you everyone that made the choice to take care of the helpless. You guys are heroes.
My son in 62 and healthy - well cared for. I stay in touch from another state.
Oh my god I can't believe what I'm seeing, I worked in a hospice until I got ill and even though the patients were terminally ill they were given respect, love, hygiene at all times no smells were ever reported why didn't these poor people ever get even the basic care, my heart hurts for these beautiful people and I am so sorry for what they went through and I hope to god those who lost their lives there are now in peace. This should never happen again xx Debbie someone who cares and respects all life
I agree with you, but they even said in the video that there were limited workers. 3 to a shift or less. What do you expect only 3 or less people to do?
They said they would have 2 people watching over 70..
Loius was so lucky to have a brother like that. All of these family members must've suffered so bad. I remember watching this when it aired, was about 13 and was mortified that American patients were treated like this. Disgraceful
This was an excellent & very professional documentary. Also, the music was beautiful.
Louis has a great smile! So contagious just makes you smile unconsciously❤
All the people in this story are people who show love and happiness ,bless ALL of them .