7 Comments Posted by Barb

I worked in Bldg 7 for a short time in the mid 80's. I remember so clearly being in one of the small dayrooms watching the takeoff of the Challenger. It was devastating when we watched it explode!! I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

I remember using these back in the late 70's- mid 80's when I worked in Psych. We also watched videos showing how to put them on LOL LOL. It was very difficult placing someone in one of these. They were always severly agitated and aggressive. It generally took 2-3 people to place a patient in a camisole.

I worked in a building that kind of looked like this. I think it was Bldg 128. I worked there from 1978-84 I think on Ward 7 and Ward 9. Also worked Ward 5 at times. Worked the 4pm-12am shift. Anyone else out there who worked there during this time? I can remember some of the patients and staff here with fondness. I went from working here with mainly geriatric patients to Kings Park Psych Center Female admissions Bldg 22.

I worked as a TA in the Admissions Bldg as well as the bldg. next to it. I cannot remember which, but I think it was 121 and 122. I have to say that on my ward I never saw any abuse of any patients there. To see people allege this terrible abuse is appalling and insulting to those of us who worked there who really cared. I left the in 1986 to move out of state, but I always missed my job there. I still do. It was not an easy job and the guy in that video was dead on wrong. We had been attacked many times by patients and had to tackle them to the floor to restrain them for their safety and the safety of others. If we were not in danger, why did the state pay us Hazard Duty Pay? We tried talking them down, bribing with cigarettes anything, but have to tackle them, but sometimes we had to. We had to show some type of authority and firmness, but not abusiveness. I can't answer for all the bldgs., but on my ward, no abuse occurred. I wish people would stop making all TA's look bad. It wasn't like that everywhere. I'll bet some of those saying those things never even worked there!

After the altar was destroyed, bricks of marble were strewn about. I have one at the entrance to my home's back walkway because I know it is blessed!!. Also walking in side the building and near the chapel after the place was in shambles, i found a small plastic manger in perfect shape on the floor. I grabbed it and know it is also a sacred item from the chapel from this wonderous place. I live in Goshen and walk here frequently in prayer.

This looks like a window in the chapel. Exploring the chapel one day, two wallpaper flowers fell from the ceiling down to my feet. Needless to say I took them as a gift from above and have them in a place of honor in my home!

I have walked this park many, many times in peace and prayer!! I often admired the cross that stood for so many years on top of the tower! I was also lucky to ride my quad here before Goshen purchased it. One beautiful spring afternoon I was fortunate to be the only person in the park when the tower fell. I now possess the cross that was on top of the tower.It is in a place of honor and I still look and often say a quick prayer . The town discarded many of the rafters and gave some to a company that builds barns. The cross will always be revered and when I leave Goshen will bring it with me to be both a memory and honored souvenir.