Cornered

thanks motts, its always a good day when i click on your site and discover you have posted more way awsome pics

Agreed - I really enjoyed these!

Agreed here too;you're an awesome photographer.

That brings back some memories, this was my first hospital. My mother also worked here in the 80's and has told me lots of stories about the horrible things that went on here.

Roland wanna share any stories?

I concurr with Amanda. Roland, you must share any stories that you can!

And yes, Motts, it's always an upside of anyday to see updates. You make me happy.

I agree with the above comments, I check your site for new posts all the time! I agree - you should share some of your exploration stories with your fans : )

One story I remember her telling me is that a lot of the patients used to have toys that they played with, like stuffed animals. Apparently at some point administration decided that toys like that were demeaning for the patients so one day they just went around taking all of the patients toys, many of whom where very upset. Besides that there were lots of stories of abuse, I remember one in particular about a patients arm being broken, unfortunatly lots of the people working there were very sadistic. From what i've heard, though, since the death in 2000 they've really turned the place around to the point where it's now considered one of the better facilities in the state.

I agree with all the above comments, I Check out this site daily, even if there arn't any new photos, I can always view whats here again. (and again)

I found your site & I am in love !!! I have sent links over to a close friend of mine who has his own studio in easthampton ma. My pictures have been shown in his stuido. and i am having another show soon . I really really think your work needs to be displayed and bought ... YOU my darling are talented ... I will have him contact you soon . His name is bruce barone . here is his site

http://www.studio19.cc/

great!

Wicked appropriate title in all regards!! Thanks for sharing these with us.

For Roland if you ever visit this gallery again - the toys were removed because the 'advocates' for the developmentally disabled decided it was demeaning for the residents to have them. Never mind that taking them away caused distress. So many of these advocates seem to think they know what's best for the residents even if it causes them to cry and mourn the loss. Just as they plan to move the people out of the only homes they have known because the 'advocates' know it's better for the people to live in the community. More integrated. How many DD friends do you have?

Toys were considered "demeaning" because they were not "age appropriate," meaning appropriate to the person's chronological age, not his/her mental age. There were ways around this, such as having a "collection of model cars" rather than "toy cars" or using large-piece jigsaw puzzles of animals instead of preschool puzzles of cartoon characters. It's mostly about respecting each person as an individual and offering choices. Sometimes the rules change from day to day and it all seems very arbitrary.