81 Comments Posted by weasel

Thank you Lynne, I really enjoy reading about all your experiences. You are one of the reasons I love coming here. I bet I could listen to you talk about your job for hours!

Lynne, those newer sterilizers in your links look so space age compared to these dinosaurs. These must be REALLY old then. Wonder how old?

Looks like that one Led Zeppelin album cover...tyring to think of the name...anyone? Maybe physical Graffitti?

I actually feel very bad for the people who were released out of those places onto the street. What a culture shock for them! Who would be there when they had their out of control episode in some back alley somewhere? Many are not capable or willing to voluntarily seek help or refuge. These days younger people with meds and support can enjoy not living in the hospital environment. However, the ones who knew of no other type of existence are still suffering on the streets today as abused homeless victims. The system meant well, but it did cause many problems when the patients were released out of the large hospitals so suddenly. Each case is so different, some are better off in a group care facility, and some can handle being out on their own or at least with partial hospitialization where their activity is monitored and they are being supported. I have a relative like that; he has paranoid schizophrenia. I think he is living an apartment building with other people who have problems, but they all have their own little apartment. He does really well, I see him a couple times a year. I am glad the system is working so well for him and helping him get along in society. I know he does go to "partial" as a part of his support services. He was even involved in community activism involving mental health issues. He is very intelligent, and has so much potential. We are the same age and we hung out alot growing up. We were always great friends and did lots of fun stuff. He was diagnoed at about age 17, which is pretty typical of people with schizophrenia.

By far my favorite chair shot. The light on the ground really makes it. The colors are so wild and alive. How do you do that?

Perhaps they were still in their original boxes and brand new, waiting to be filled at the hospital pharmacy? That is my guess.

Reminds me of many of our downtown buildings built during the same time period. They are covered in marble all over on the insides. Marble must have been "in vogue" at that time. It is a lost art, that is for sure.

Clean, crisp shot of those windows. The marble is lovely. Hard to believe it has been closed for 10 years!

That woodwork and fireplace will be saved before the demolition begins, I hope. The green almost looks like jade. Gorgeous.

Made me take a second look.

Amazing those are not broken. I like how the 2 larger ones are sitting up on that heater. Very good pic, probably my favorite of the new group of pics.

Mr Motts, please do come and take pictures at the old Western Pennitentury here in Pittsburgh. It is over 100 yrs old and closed recently. Who knows how long it will be there. It would be a great find for you!

It is sickening they want to build a money making place like an amusement park over the area where people suffered and died. That is like building one over top of a civil war battlefield. Absolutely no respect for the people who lived in these places.

Well, THAT was a little rude, Chipy. :(

I agree, they do look like models. If this place is still operating, it sure looks like hell from the outside. I mean, it looks like it has been abandoned for years. It looks in disrepair, grass needs cut, etc. Is it that bad in real life?