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Gaebler Children's Center | | | Control | |
this door looks like it could be a portal to the underworld or something.
amazing shot.
love the colors.
What's on the other side of the door?
Life
death or
in-between
AWESOME shot though, wallpaper maybe?? Plz Motts?? =)
what an effect
No pillow, no blankets, no water, no food, no bathroom break.
Depending on what you did, your stay in here was for several hours or several days.
A CHILD THAT MADE A STAFF MEMBER MAD WILL BE PUT IN HERE STAFF MEMBERS WITH GRUDGES AGAINST THE KIDS WERE EVIL SCUM....
4 POINT RESTRAINED KIDS WIND UP IN HERE..LIKE THEY ARE GETTING OUT ..KIDS WERE STRIPPED OF THEIR DIGNITY HERE ALONG WITH THEIR CLOTHES..KIDS WERE
LEFT HERE TO WALLOW IN SUFFERING WHILE THEY SCREAMED...KIDS WERE LEFT IN HERE FOR MANY HOURS WITH NO FOOD NO BATHROOM CALLS ..SO KIDS PISSED IN HERE..KIDS LIKE YOU COULD HAVE BEEN HERE THATS WHAT KIND OF KIDS WIND UP IN A ROOM LIKE THIS.
KIDS LIKE YOU.
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE FOR ME ..i DIE ANOTHER DAY AS I DIE ANOTHER WAY AT THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO WOULD NOT CARE TO SEE WHO I AM OR WHAT I MIGHT BE..I DIE MORE EVERYDAY.
Unbelievably Amazing???????
A beautiful shot????????
You can't imagine what we went through in these rooms!
No Jima, these shots are not beautiful nor are they amazing.
Group name: GCC2010
Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GCC2010
Group email: GCC2010@yahoogroups.com
I don't think that you know me, I was on Ward D, from 1982--1983, my boyfriend at the time was very strong though, he was on Ward B when he first got there and then went to Ward D when he became a pre-teen. What is your name? I am Michelle Woods, and I just went there today to try and get some clousure in my life and let me tell you, the place is so friggin scary, I knew exactly where I was went I went in, I did take some pictures and I will post them as soon as I figure out how to do it on here. I actually am still in contact with my ex-boyfriend, we are best friends. I have seen him a few times in the past couple months. All the walls have writing on them, and all the rooms are pretty damaged, but, you can make out the cafeteria, which is almost arcoss the door to the stairs that go upstairs to the Wards. I saw all the school rooms, the seclusion rooms on my Ward, and my bedroom on the Ward I was on. It's just so erie, and I can't believe that my mother put in there, I didn't need that kind of structure, actually none of his kids needed that kind of structure, getting locked in the shower, and the building,and when it was lock down all the bedroom doors would get locked. The staff members that were there when I was there, was, Willy,Suzanne,Jack,Melodee,Harvey,Joanna and a couple others that I can''t remember. I hated all the Dr's there, they always made me feel like there was something wrong with me physically cause I was overweight, and the pysche Dr's were crazy, I think they were worse then us kids, they made me out to be such a off the hook child, that had such a behavioral problem that I needed to be locked up. And they would give us medicine to keep all calm, I can't remember the name of it, but, it was like a thorazine. It's just horrible and an inhumane place for children, I man jails aren't even like this place. I hope that someday they tr this building down, cause I live in Waltham and I have most of my life and I drive by there all the time and it just brings back horrible memories. I hope that you are doing well in your life considering being here in that place, I am married, with 2 beautiful girls and I have a wonderful husband. Thank God for him...
U are a different person than I thought. If you go there again let me know. U can look me up on facebook under dennis bunting. I have a black shirt,blond hair, and am a pretty strong guy. Just friend request me. I have some friends on there from your time. I would love to go there with someone that was there just to talk about old times. Or call me 617-733-8597 its my cell. I own a boiler company so the # is right. I have three great kids and I am doing great.
A lot of us know that now but did loose a feeling of love and family from that time. Its just different for us. Some of the best friends I have ever had were while I was here. us kids just fell apon each other. And we all stuck together. For the ones I talk to today, even though I haven't met them and they were there at different times. There still seems to be a type of bond.
You know! I never had any friends later on, like the ones I had when I was in gaebler. Did any of us?
Not that I could tell you. The only therapists that I knew of were there to find any kind of problem they could label you with, or make up. And make sure it stuck with you for the rest of your time in the system. There were also some that met with you to see how all the meds they tried on you were affecting you. They were not good people in my eyes.
Yes it was. The program is still up and running in tewksbury ma. Its called centerpoint. It moved there when danvers closed. At that time the place was very helpful. The problem I had was trying to explain to them that I had lied to geabler and told them that I had done all the stuff that they said I did just to get out. They didn't believe that all the stuff that went on in gaebler went on, and thought "the move was to much for me" and I was back in denial. after three years of a lot of crap I was cleared and released. Centerpoint has changed a lot of procedures and remains a helpful therapeutic I.R.T.P. "Individual residential treatment program". It changed once all these places like gaebler closed down. Its to bad I couldn't work with the people there just because I stopped working with them once they didn't believe me about gaebler. They didn't want to let me out and got a court order to keep me in. But a outside therapist evaluated me and said I was perfectly normal. And some court evidable testing cleared me. They found out all the stuff did happen at gaebler and apologized. I still talk to them now and then. And some staff still work there 16 years later.
How did u know I was in danvers state???
I've always been fascinated with the architecture of the old Kirkbride "castle" at Danvers State Hospital. It's too bad most of it is gone-only the adminstration part is left, the rest are new apartments. At least the old cemetary is still intact. I'll never forget the first time I saw the "castle" many years ago-it was breathtaking. The countryside grounds were beautiful, and I loved the old wooden roof-covered staircase that went up the hill-I've taken walks there many times. The reason why I know of its existence was that I was a student doing a Music Therapy internship at Hogan Regional Center at the bottom of Hathorne Hill. I would have loved to work at the old "castle" as a Music Therapist, but it was already closed. It's a shame that the State did not try to rehab this hauntingly beautiful building.
The castle was taken down because of a huge fire while they were working on it. I loved the wood covered stair case. I used to ride my bike all the way down. It was a good ride. It is to bad most of it is gone. I was at gaebler today though A loved seeing the old swing set. That's the best swing set I can ever remember. I loved seeing the tree. Good memories. There was a toy that u sat on and spun it. It still spins like the day I played on it. The wood is gone but it spins great. I love going there. That was the best and worst part of my life. I go there to see all the good times. I love seeing all my old life. The tree is one we always used to climb. About ten of us were in it at once.
I got so many pics today. I got all my old rooms and everything
Yeah there gonna take it down. There is so much asbestos there. Its gonna take a while. When I was there I found some old papers. They were test papers for doctors or staff to fill out after giving us certain drugs. They were in the old records room. It was creepy
After all the stuff there. I think it was a good life experience. A lot of us are so strong now.
The message that was just posted on 7/5/2010 was from me, I am sorry, I don't know how your name got on it that you posted it sorry again. And I have been inside there quite a few times and took lots of pictures and OMG!! I can't believe all the things that I have seen, it's friggin scary, the place is trashed, and there are rooms that I never knew about, can't believe we had to endure such a life, we weren't patients as my husband would say we were inmates & victims...
I'm sorry that so many of you former residents at the Gaebler went through such awful times. It should have been a place of healing, not hurt. I am a Certified Music Therapist (CMT), and have worked with many populations of clients, including psychiatric patients. One of my internships was at McClean Hospital in Belmont, MA-this was a very good facility that truly cared for its residents. I really wished that I could have been a Music Therapist at the Gaebler, because I really wanted to help you all! Please know that, in my heart, I would have liked to provide a caring, therapeutic environment for all of you! May God Bless you! : )
This is what adult humans do to adolesence humans.
The staff that made the Gaebler Children's Center exist
should be living with a lot guilt for making it function.
The staff were more a part it than the building itself.
You are so right, it really was the staff that made that place and a horror place at that, they treated us children and yes we were just children like we were mentally unstable and were a menace to society, I don't know how they live with themselves but, I believe what goes around comes around and they will get what is coming to them someday if it hasn't already happened....
What floor? Which ward? Were is the door. I can help find out
yes, I have heard those same noises when I was there, but, I just thought that I was hallucinating and didn't want to believe what I was hearing, I heard it up on the 2nd and 3rd floors, which would be Ward d and B on the 2nd floor and Ward E and A on the 3rd floor, or I think it's Ward A, I know it's ward e casue my cousin was on ward e when I was there on ward d. The place is just really freaky now, and all kinds of noises I hear, I heard childrens voices and a constant knocking noise on the windows like we used to do and always scream for help, and the knocking noise was in perfect harmony, it was really weird.
Explain to me how you got in there on 7/28/2010, because the building is fenched off and there is a locked door on ther front of the building , and also there are no locked doors inside of the building, I have been on every floor and every ward and every room, and when they closed the building. the took all the locls off the doors so people couldn't get locked in any of the rooms and suffocate and die....
I think that was the noise I heard while in the cafe on sunday. As soon as I got in I said "what's that noise". I wonder if that's the noise you talk of. I thought someone was there at first
That was the noise it sounded like someone banging on a seclusion room door. Where was the door that was stuck. I will get it open. I didn't hear the banging long enough to see where it was coming from
Hello, I know of the noise, but, I guess I just tried to block it out, cause we were in there, I didn't see any locked doors, so if Scott can tell us where that door is yes, we need to unlock it, Eric and I went there yesterday but, couldn't really see what was done. Can't wait for Sunday and to see you again....
I heard the noise on Sunday when I was there with Boiler1220, Do tell him what do it is, cause honestly, he is a determined and strong man, he will so get the door opened,, trust me, I seen him in action.....
The place is being demolished. U only have a couple weeks left to see it
What's your thoughts on the whole thing? Like I said. - don't want to sound crazy, but it has crossed my mind. Does anyone remember going to the dentist???
you sound crazy? Never, you are probably right, I do think they drugged the kids so they could see how they could conttol them into doing whatever they wanted, it was all about control, and as for the dentist, I know I never went to the dentist when I was there, you are not crazy. well, maybe to me cause I know you and you are such a nice guy, but, for real in this world, by no means are you crazy....
I'm very sorry for what you went through when you were at Gaebler. I was there from 1986-1988 for attempting suicide several times. I'm so glad there are finally people who have been there who I can connect with after many years. I'm Luke and I have many negative memories of that horrible place. I went there before thanksgiving of 2010 before the demolition. I saw the activities center and basketball court, which I remember using sometimes. I might know you from my time there. It's really terrible that the building is gone now. Please reply to me. I would really like to talk to you.
I was there about 10 years ago and the place was in much better shape then when you went there. The windows weren't boarded and it was easy to get in. What did you think of it when you were there.
The above message was meant for you, as usual I screwed it up and I don't know how to fix it sorry, if you want to see pictures of the place I have them on my facebook my name is Michelle Woods-Godfroy..
I clearly remember the deplorable conditions of the rec rooms. There would be PB&J sandwiches all over the chairs, and they would be there for weeks.
i remember there was a little chalk board the counselors would have and it had things like "one-on-one" or group - which described how you were to be supervised when you left the floor. On my first day there I got into a struggle with the a guy I think was the head guy, Thomas Heathwood as he was dragging me to my new home... I'm not sure what my ward was called, if you're facing the building it was the top floor on the right...
Anyway, it all behind us now, i just feel bad for the kids out there that get stuck in the system... Its a shame....
I completely agree with you! Many children whom I knew of had very minor disorders like Down Syndrome and other stuff that didn't require a trip to a hellhole like Gaebler. And the blood taking and vaccinations were horrible, I hated them. I don't remember the chalkboard, but I clearly will never forget the rec room. I only went in there to stomp on the floor and release my anger. It sucks that we all had to go through that. I hope you are well wherever you are and wish you the best.
That was ward B. And Luke if you look up all my posts you will see all my info. I would gladly do a interview. And it is sad the DMH has to much power. They are drugging kids and saying the side affects of the drugs are the kids mental problems. My wives little sister is in the system now, and that's what there doing to her. I wish we could do something about it
I spoke to the high school boy who interviewed me. He will call you very soon. His name is Will Grossman. I'm very sorry about your wife's sister and I agree that the DMH really needs some of its power taken away. Drugs are not the way to treat a person's problems, and if they included more therapy and less abuse, people wouldn't consider mental hospitals as complete shitholes. Everyone in today's hospitals are people too, and should be treated as human beings. I think one of the problems is lack of funding for the DMH.
We're you ever here?
I am going to bed now, but I will reply tomorrow
I would say ahuge majority of us were there for behavioral issues. It was easy to slap a mental health label on kids who had lives harder than any adult had ever seen. DYS at that point, especially in the 80s, was basically for mid to older teenagers, criminal activity sort of events, not children who had witness or been exposed to severe forms of abuse within their living environments who then acted out in different ways because they had not really been taught any better.
Was there is right. I also believe that dss and dys had to many kids. And places like this were a good place to stock us. If we were labeled with problems they would not have to deal with putting us in familys,houses ect. Just a good overstock program
I second the part about being blamed for things you didn't do
I am so sorry to hear of your terrible treatments at different hospitals, Gaebler really was hell to say the least, a lot of mental,verbal and physical abusive as well as sexual abusive went on there. I understand everything you say about how you feel and not be able to be touched, When you go thru something that horrific it's hard to trust anyone, even your family and loved ones, it must certainly changes the person you are, it's not your fault, it's the Dept of Mental Healths fault and them thinking they had the right to abuse us they way they did and drug us as well. I hop e that someday you will be able to come to terms with all that has happened to you so you can show the world and everyone who counted you out that you are better than they say you are and they can kiss your ass......If you ever want to talk, I do have a facebook account, you just have to friend request me, my name is Michelle D.Woods and I also have pictures and videos of Gaebler on my fb.....
you are very welcome, it's hard for anyone to understand how we feel and what we went thru unless they were there and experienced hands on like us.....
My cousin Renee was on Ward E. I remember a Patrick, I just don't remember what you look like, sorry. Sandy, Tricia, Mike, Sean were all on my ward which was D. I remember the place like it was yesterday as well, creepy to say the least, but, I will say this, Willy and Suzanne were the nicest staff members on my ward. Do you remember a kid named Danny? he was on my ward, I talk to a few people from there and I seen a few of them as well. the building is now down, I took a lot of pics of the inside and out and videos, if you want to see them friend me on facebook that is where they are....I hope you are doing well, sorry you had to endure that kind of shit as well like us, but, I think it made me a better and stronger person......
Was that the day that john w. From ward A broke into the intercom room and played were not gonna take it over the intercom. Even the kids on ward B joined in?
That was just a day that they had a bad riot. I thought that was the time you were talking about. I don't think we know each other I was there from 88-91 and like 83-86. I don't remember the 83 time that well
Did you know a shawna w. From ward A??
I forgot about the restraint bags. I remember them. O was on ward A. That guy week was on A. He always had cowboy boots with his leather. As far as Janet, I didn't notice I was always trying to get with shawna W from A. Who r u? Dud u know Lenny with the crap in his pants
I don't ever remember the plastic retraining bags, and Danny was always getting secluded,and beaten up by the staff members,he actually almost died at the hands of Harvey, it was horrible, I left there and he was still there and that is when he hooked up with Sandy W, she was my bestfriend along with Tricia G, I have been trying to find both of them and I can't, I talk to Sean M ever now and then, he is doing great, Danny is doing well, for all he went thru there I am surpised that he is as good as he is, Tricia and I were also at St Germaine Lawrence School together in Arlington,Ma...Alan was a cool kid, he had brown thick shoulder lenght wavy hair with a small mustache, Sean had the red short hair, Sandy was beautiful, think she was chinese and white, my roomates were Kim C, Maria, a crazy girl and I forget the 4th one, my room was the first gir's room and my bed was the first one on the left hand side.....Renee was my cousin on Ward E, Alex who was on ward E, used to go with Sandy, I was the girl with the big boom box that we used to hang in the halls or tv room and listen to music, the shower room was a 1 stall at the time, it was scary, I hated Harvey,Joanna,Jack, Melody and a couple others, But, loved Wilie and Suzanne...the activities room was great with the Atari and record player, we used to play dodge after school in the gym on my floor around 4pm before dinner. we took nature trail walks to Rocky Meadow and played on the swing set...I met the best of friends there, I hated that place,but, so grateful for the friends I made and I still talk to some of them and even seen a few of them....Karen was on ward E, and she went with Sean M on my ward, I hung around with her for years after we both got out, but,somehow lost touch with her and can't find her. the building is now gone, but, the memories of the hellish place will live on in me forever and I am sure every child who went there, they had a lot of law suits against them and that is why they closed, they say that's not the reason but, it is, they closed in Jan of 1992. After I left I went back there a few times to visit my friends and to go to the Christmas party. They changed how the bathrooms and shower rooms were, instead of it being a 1 stall shower room and locked door, they turned it into a 3 shower room stall and put doors on the bathroom stalls...a lot of sexual abuse went on in there, I remember Sharon who was on my Ward and all the male staff members wanted her and it was said that she was having sex with Jack, so I don't know if he was raping her but, in that place you never know. Anyway, I could go on and on, but, I am sure no one wants to rehash the horribleness....
I like hearing all the good and bad. I love reading peoples posts
I do too, it makes me wonder what everyone else went thru, did they have it as bad as us or did they have more priviledges then we did, were they allowed to have visitors, things like that....