djp59
Thanks, I always like hearing this.
Don't forget to visit our website, and sign up, the story continues @ http://www.hall-18.com
djp59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
djp59 wrote:Hello Everyone. I have been reading these posts from the beginning, it has taken me a little time, because I needed to let it all sink in. I have lived in Traverse City area for about 9 years now. I always thought the state hospital was interesting, but never ever trully had a real idea of what it was about. Thank you so much for sharing your stories and experiences. It has changed the way I veiw the whole thing, I drive by it everyday and now I think of you guys, Ron and Mike, everyday. This is trully amazing to me and I think it is such a good thing you are doing here. I hope it has helped you guys as well. Mike you caught me attention because I was raised in Cadillac, as was my Dad. My Dad was born in 1948 so he was bit older. But anyway...thank you all who have shared here and shed light and more importanly truth on this. Thank you.
pobi wrote:I just found your forum this morning and have been engrossed for the past 3 hours reading all your posts. I don’t know if you feel the same as I, but ‘purged’ pretty much sums it up! Thank you for your bravery!
I have worked with people who are developmentally disabled and mentally ill for almost 30 years in and around the metro-Detroit area. I started working as a direct care worker when de-institutionalization became mandatory in the late 1970’s and have held other, less interesting titles. `A couple of years ago, I read a book called, “Waiting for Home” written by Richard Prangly (who is a developmentally disabled man who lived in the Coldwater State Training School for 15 years. He is now a public speaker and lives in Lansing) and he mentioned he tried to develop a ‘State Hospital’ traveling museum (for lack of a better term), but wasn’t able to get enough funding or interest from Lansing (big shocker huh?). I feel he had a great idea because our communities (and families…) need to know and understand what living in an institution was like so we don’t go down that road again. Perhaps you can pool your knowledge and experience with others who were institutionalized and share it with the legal system, use it in staff training classes, with mental health administrators, with psychology students, etc. in an effort to treat every citizen with dignity and respect.
I have become long-winded, phew….sorry!