1972. Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace, Geraldo Rivera's original expose

Summary

This video exposes the inhumane conditions at Willowbrook, a state institution for individuals with developmental disabilities. It contrasts these conditions with more compassionate, individualized care models from California. The focus is on the dehumanization of residents at Willowbrook, where overcrowding and neglect were prevalent, and the importance of treating these individuals with dignity and respect. The video advocates for a new approach to care that prioritizes personal development and humane living conditions, urging a fundamental change in society’s treatment of the mentally disabled.

Takeaways

• 😀 Willowbrook, a state institution, has a long history of dehumanizing conditions for mentally disabled children, with overcrowding and poor facilities being commonplace.
• 😀 Dr. Kooch acknowledges that for a small percentage of individuals, 24-hour residential care is necessary, but even then, better care models are being explored in other parts of the U.S.
• 😀 California is rapidly closing down its institutional facilities, such as Fairview State and Orange County, which once housed thousands, but are now reducing their populations for better alternatives.
• 😀 The Children's Foundation in New York offers a more individualized, family-oriented approach to care, providing therapy, education, and daily assistance, all while promoting personal dignity and autonomy.
• 😀 The cost of care at the Children's Foundation is relatively low at $14 per day, compared to $21 a day at Willowbrook, showing that quality care doesn't need to be expensive.
• 😀 Despite the state's budget cuts, organizations like the Children's Foundation continue to provide better care by focusing on personal treatment plans for each child, including education and social adjustment.
• 😀 Many children at Willowbrook lack basic needs, such as toothbrushes, which are present at more progressive care facilities, highlighting the importance of even simple comforts.
• 😀 A significant difference between California's approach and New York's is the treatment of mentally disabled individuals as people with inherent worth, not as objects of pity or neglect.
• 😀 The living conditions at Willowbrook are described as a 'disgrace,' with overcrowding, poor sanitation, and an overall lack of compassion for residents.
• 😀 The story of Bernard, a resident who has been at Willowbrook for 18 years, emphasizes the lack of educational opportunities and the stifling of personal growth within the institution.
• 😀 The video concludes with a strong call for systemic change in how we treat people with mental disabilities, advocating for more humane, personalized care that acknowledges their potential as individuals.

Q & A

What is the main issue raised in the transcript about Willowbrook State School?

The main issue is the inhumane and dehumanizing conditions at Willowbrook State School, including overcrowded, filthy facilities where children with disabilities are treated as less than human, rather than as individuals deserving of dignity and respect.

How does the treatment of individuals with disabilities in California differ from the approach at Willowbrook?

In California, the treatment focuses on individualized care, where each child's needs—such as therapy, academic training, and social adjustment—are carefully planned. In contrast, Willowbrook treats individuals as 'human vegetables' and focuses more on institutionalized care rather than personalized, humane treatment.

What does the Children's Foundation provide, and how does it differ from Willowbrook's care?

The Children's Foundation provides total care at a cost of $14 per day per child, offering individualized programs for therapy, academic training, and social adjustment. This contrasts with Willowbrook, where there is no personalization of care, and the conditions are filthy and overcrowded.

What is the significance of the statement, 'They deserve everything that you and I want out of life, but they can't get it for themselves'?

This statement emphasizes that individuals with disabilities have the same desires for quality of life as anyone else—such as cleanliness, dignity, and social connection—but they often cannot achieve these goals because of neglect and inadequate care systems like Willowbrook.

Why are the conditions at Willowbrook described as a 'disgrace to all of us'?

The conditions at Willowbrook are described as a disgrace because the facility, which was meant to care for vulnerable individuals, instead mistreated them by providing filthy, dehumanizing, and overcrowded living spaces, treating children with disabilities as less than human.

How does the script criticize the idea of more funding as a solution for improving Willowbrook?

The script criticizes the idea of simply increasing funding because, while more money might improve physical conditions (such as providing clothes or cleaning the space), it would not address the deeper problem of treating individuals with disabilities as human beings deserving of dignity, respect, and personalized care.

What role does the family play in the individualized care approach described in the Children's Foundation?

The family plays a central role in the individualized care approach, as the program encourages the child to return home for part of the week to ensure that the family remains the controlling factor in the child's life, fostering a more holistic, supportive environment.

What does the transcript suggest about society's view of people with disabilities?

The transcript suggests that society often views people with disabilities as less important and less deserving of quality care, which is reflected in the conditions at Willowbrook. It calls for a societal shift to treat these individuals as people with the same rights to dignity and respect as anyone else.

What does the script imply about the need for change in mental health and disability care systems?

The script implies that a fundamental change is needed in how mental health and disability care systems operate. Instead of maintaining outdated, institutionalized facilities like Willowbrook, there should be a focus on more individualized, compassionate care that integrates these individuals into society as full human beings.

How do the residents at the California facility experience greater independence compared to those at Willowbrook?

At the California facility, residents are allowed to live semi-independently, making their own decisions and engaging in activities they enjoy. In contrast, Willowbrook's residents live in highly controlled, institutionalized environments with little to no autonomy.