Willowbrook-A time that should never be forgotten!

[MommyRuby2008]

It was not long ago that people with severe disabilities were taken away from their families and shunned from the world. They were abused and forgotten by so many all because people were afraid of something different.

In present time, many of us know better and have a respect and devout affection for those with special needs. Some of us still do not understand. Let us spread awareness for those who suffered that those that still continue to struggle in their lives. No one can help who they are. We must accept and love others despite their faults and see the good in everyone no matter how many challenges they face. I urge you to share this story to show your respect for these people and to help remind us all that everyone deserves love and equality, support and humane care.

Please read the description of this video to remind yourself of the struggles these individuals faced and a part of American history that we NEVER want repeated again! I have also included the video information and the link to watch the entire video for free on Hulu.com. Do this for yourself and for those who did not survive the years of abuse and starvation, for those who did not get visitors and for those who suffered as orphans. Then take 57 minutes to watch the heart wrenching video documentary as it follows a few families that lived and suffered through this.

LET US REMEMBER!

Ruthie

Ps. I watched this video in class Thursday Night. Everyone should see it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unforgotten: 25 Years After Willowbrook (1996)

It was a nightmare that shocked not only New York, but all of America. The public outcry about the Willowbrook School (on Staten Island) for people with developmental disabilities resulted from Geraldo Rivera's award-winning series on WABC-TV in 1972. Viewers were stunned by coverage of residents with mental retardation and developmental disabilities sprawled naked on feces covered floors, being forced to eat their meals in two to three minutes, living and breathing filth. Willowbrook's idea of a shower was to gather 60 residents in a tiled room and hose them down. The public's outrage was so intense, that by 1975, a Federal Court ordered that institutional care be phased out and replaced with community based settings. The mentally retarded would no longer be shuffled off into "lunatic asylums." Instead, they would be given every opportunity to lead as constructive a life as possible.

UNFORGOTTEN-HULU LINK (WATCH-IT'S FREE!)

http://www.hulu.com/watch/194496/unforgotten-twenty-five-years-after-willowbrook