7 Comments Posted by ICEQUEEN

Maybe someones way of saying some things shouldn't be vandalized.

when in use tey didn't distort your face--that came with age and changing tempertures.

To all of those who worked at Pennhurst and liked their jobs--God Bless You. It was heartbreaking work but also very fullfilling as you left at the end of the day feeling like you were needed and had helped someone. Yes we were understaffed sometimes forced to work double shifts but we still did our best. As for the abusers some did get their day in court and jail time. I know I had to appear in front of the Grand Jury to testify against some. They in the end will get what thay deserve. but for all who go to this site and want to comdemn the rest of us for caring open up your minds and hearts. We did the best we could with what was given and I'm sure most exploring these sites have not lived in the time these institutions were in use. These were beautiful buildings in their day and I can say I was proud to be working there and I miss my times with the residents. I can say when I see one out in the neighboring towns that was someone I worked with they still come up to me and give me a hug.
Times change, things get older,places fall apart and rumors and tales go around. Just remember yse some things were bad but there was also good there and the same will be said to the next generation.As time goes on the old seems terrifing as new things take their place but you to will do the best you can with what is given you---keep your minds and hearts open . Do not destroy what is left of that place it too was once beautiful!!

The tunnels were used in bad weather---ice,snow, rain---they connect to all buildings so in bad weather you didn't have to take the residents outside. during good days they were seldom used.

if it was union building than this was an office

MAYBE THE STORY WAS TRUE IN THE 40'S 0R 50'S BUT WHEN I WORKED THERE THE PARENTS OR VISITORS COULD COME TO THE WARDS TO GET THEM.
MOST RESIDENTS WERE COURT COMMITTED WHEN I WAS THERE AND NO COST WAS PUT ON THE PARENTS. IT WAS A SAD TIME AND MOST FAMILIES COULD'T TAKE CARE OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS THE RESIDENTS HAD. WHEN YOU WALK DOWN THE STREET NOW HOW DO YOU REACT TO A MENTALLY DISABLED PERSON---DO YOU GO TALK TO THEM OR IGNORE THEM---MAKE FUN OF THEM OR SMILE AT THEM? ARE TIMES SO DIFFERENT? WOULD YOU HAVE GONE AND WORKED THERE KNOWING YOU WOULD BE TAKING CARE OF ALL THEIR BASIC NEEDS? COULD YOU HANDLE THAT? I DID AND LOVED MY JOB EVEN THOUGH I WAS BITTEN ,KICKED,SCRATCHED AND GIVEN A FEW BLACK EYES FROM BEING HIT IN THE FACE BY MY RESIDENTS, I HAVE SCARS TO PROVE IT BUT WOULD STILL GO BACK THERE IF IT WAS OPEN. DON'T JUDGE EVERYTHING BY THE RUNORS YOU HEAR--TRY TO FIND FACTS---AS WITH ALL THINGS THERE IS GOOD AND BAD--BE KIND TO THOSE OF US WHO WERE DEDICATED TO OUR CARING FOR THE RESIDENTS!

NOTHING SCARY ABOUT THE PLACE. MAYBE EVERYONE INTERESTED SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE WHEN IT WAS OPEN. OF COURSE THERE WAS ABUSE BY SOME OF THE WORKERS BUT THERE WERE ALOT LIKE MYSELF THAT LOVED MY JOB THERE. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN ITS DAY. AS FOR THE COMMENT ABOUT THE CLOSED DOOR--I SERIOUSLY DOUBT ITS ALL THE RECORDS BECAUSE IF A RESIDENT WAS TRANSFERED HIS OR HER RECORDS WOULD TRAVEL WITH THEM.
WHEN I WAS YOUNG I TOO HEARD ALL THE STORIES BUT IN THE 70'S WHEN I NEEDED TO WORK I WENT THERE AND IT WAS NOTHING LIKE THE STORIES WENT. IT WAS THE BEST JOB I EVER HAD AND I MISS MY CLIENTS VERY MUCH. THEY WERE LIKE YOUR FAMILY BECAUSE YOU SPENT SO MUCH TIME WITH THEM.