PBS Video Geraldo Rivera Interview
Willowbrook is Exposed
“There was one attendant for perhaps 50 severely and profoundly retarded children. Children lying on the floor naked and smeared with their own feces…”
Recent Interview of Rivera
Geraldo Rivera exposed how Willowbrook’s patients were suffering lack of attention tremendously. After speaking with MetroFocus Host Rafael Pi Roman, emotions were truly seen. Geraldo explained how he felt, after sneaking into Willowbrook and discovering the hidden truths of how abused patients were.
“You know I see that and it chokes me up to this day. It’s almost like an automatic response and it just evokes — and I hadn’t seen it in a while — it just evokes that original sensation, that feeling that I had when I walked in there” (Rivera)
Abuse, Trauma, and indolence
Filth, disease, and death marked the memory of Geraldo, having him know how much he needed to improve the system of schooling for the disabled. Geraldo realized that doctors would recommend anyone to these institutions, without even going into depth if the child was truly diagnosed with a disorder.
PBS Video Geraldo Rivera Interview
Willowsbrook had an advantage of privacy, being somewhere that the right to restrict any videos and photography of any scenario in the building. Even the workers in the school were not required to go through a background check, leading to unattended sexual, physical, and mental abuse.
Photos courtesy of William Bronston, MD. Willowbrook State School, Staten Island, NY
Abuse of small Children
Children as young as the age of three would be sent to institutions and forced to eat a spoonful of oatmeal causing starvation and other health issues to the patients.
However, as Geraldo stated, the most sickening abuse was the treatment similar to “Kennel” treatment to the patients. They were treated like dogs and not human.
The workers of these institutions were overlooked and not even put into jail, however many positive results were made due to these exposing investigations from Geraldo.
Geraldo Rivera Changes the Future
The result of Geraldo’s investigation was powerful. While exposing the myths of the “perfect” institutions it opened the eyes to society showing how all the horrors were being covered by laws. Everyone now knew that institutions were coming to an end.
The exposure was unprecedented. Geraldo Rivera experienced an unparalleled level of fame, recognizing the immense influence he wielded to enforce change. With a newfound sense of purpose, he leveraged his platform to drive progress and make a meaningful impact.
Young Geraldo Rivera blew the lid off institutional abuse, reporting on Willowbrook.
Courtesy the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
Families wanted change
“Families whose children resided in the School, as well as staff who worked there, had long advocated for change. Only in the early 1970s were they successful in making those outside of the system aware of the problems inside the facility. ” (College from Staten Island)
Geraldo Rivera
Geraldo Rivera established different organizations and solutions such as small communities with a based residence. Residents would be living in homes and would have 1 to 1 attention with certified helpers. This would let connections grow and would make children with mental disabilities feel more comfortable as well as included. Happiness and respect is a goal to Geraldo, as well as having these children protected.
“An organization for people with special needs, a cause near to the heart of both honorees.” (Gouverneur Parents Association)