The simple fact is, as I explained before, that this was made by staff, after completing a mandatory class, to supposedly help US cope with the bad press, lawsuits, planted undercover aides, etc, etc, etc. Morale was pretty low. However the majority of us hated the BS they were trying to shove down our throats and retaliated with a not so warm and fuzzy window shade. Our way of saying FU. Why people continue to make up their own scenerios is beyond me.

Dropped in to see what crazy theories people are coming up with. Always good for a laugh now and them. Just one thing Urbanlegend, I never called anyone a "retard" ...Moron yes and if the shoe fits......and I was never a nurse, just a lowly aide.

Sigh....rolling eyes for the hundreth time...

And you know this because your aunts best friends mothers sister worked there and she said so.

There would be a little bit more to it than the "good folks at Pennhurst just sending them away" I guess as a camp counselor you only wanted the good ones. And mentally challenged people also have sex among themselves if you are implying something else was going on.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

; )

I normally wouldn't do this but this link will hopefully show people another shade painting from another class that apparently had a very positive experience judging from their painting. #10
http://www.elpeecho.co.../viewtopic.php?t=412

Oh Lynne...I think I love that guy. Sadly,I'm afraid, that may be too deep for some people to comprehend though.

I know this picture has many, many comments but I don't think anyone has ever denied that there was some abuse at Pennhurst through the years. The degree of abuse is up for debate I'm sure. And many horror stories passed on by people who may or not worked there always adds fuel to the fire. So what is your point exactly?

" The point is people can be better served in group homes .
where abuse is less likely to occur for less money and human dignity is preserved"
Well I don't know about that. I think it's probably about the same. Maybe less reported because there is less monitoring.

Oh, do tell!!

Syphilus is passed from mother to child in utero. Little chance you'd catch it from a doorknob.

I left a comment on Peecho's site saying I thought he was the most gullible person on earth but I can see now that he has companionship. You people are too much.

Oh please give me a freakin' break. I want to scream every time I read one of these posts about an alledged former employee who believed all it took was love and understanding to make an institution a better place. It was and always will be MONEY. Do you understand that to take a client outside to play in the snow could be a disaster waiting to happen. And for the most part there was never enough staff to do that anyway. The tunnels were there for a reason one being that in bad weather there was no need to go outside. I don't see where that is so horrible. And one last thing, I went to work there for the paycheck ( they payed pretty good at the time) and I didn't abuse anyone. I'm sure a majority of the people working in group homes are also working for their paychecks. Get real!

Did you ever consider that maybe her scars were from when she lived at home? Having worked there and read many case histories sometimes going to Pennhurst was a step up from where they came from. You shouldn't assume that because she was black she was abused.

Being one of the creators of many murals at another state run institution I take offense to your comments Joseph. Brightening up the walls of an otherwise bland ward brought much joy to the people who lived there. And judging from the requests from other wards to have something painted on their walls I'd say having formal training was not a requirement .

Hey Donna! Keep checking back because occassionally we get people on here who are "authorities" on Pennhurst. I get tired of defending the place. If you have time check out the Pit of Oblivion picture and some of the bizaar comments that have been left. You'll need an aspirin if you get through them all.

Woowee Lynn. Got a live wire here. I think I'd save my breath this time though. Not worth the pounding headache you're sure to get.

Those comments are just too stereoypical to be true. Right? Please tell me that they are a joke...please.

Sian, don't you have 10 pingers and ten poes? I do!

Sorry, the crib reference was actually on a different picture. Got a little confused. I am allowed occassionally to make a mistake.

Parents neighbor worked at Pennhurst and apparently didn't have a good experience. Also the cribs were not just used for children. Cribs were used for clients who were at risk for falling out of bed and injuring themselves due to seizures, being nonambulatory, many reasons other than having a rail to "chain" them to. You really have to get rid of the image of little children being the dominate inhabitants of Pennhurst. It just was not the case.

Listen, if the documentation you are reading is bits and pieces located on another site, you are missing some important background information. I'm very angry that this literature was left laying about so brainiacs like yourself could interpret it to your own liking. If you are reading court documents well god bless you if you can understand any of that. I read some of the documentation from a suspected case of abuse and the key word here is suspected. Unfortunately you know nothing about the client involved and his capabilities. I remember this incident well. However reading the documentation would lead you to believe the allegations were true. Not so...but see you have to know the whole story not just a few excerpts from some interviews. This is why I have a problem with you parent. You are only believing what you chose to believe. I'm sorry if it bothers you that a few of us defend places like Pennhurst but someone here has to or there would be far too many ignorant people posting nonsense all the time. I have no intention on backing down from anyone. People like you are annoying but sooner or later you'll get bored and go bother someone else. We can only hope it is sooner than later.

I have something very sarcastic to say to that last comment but I shall bite my tongue and behave.