688 Comments for Western Center

One of these things is not like the other! haha, excellent photo.

@Amber-It's a shame that some parents would just drop off their babies and never see them again! How sad. I would NEVER abandon my child, no matter what.

You're a bit off, Busted. I don't know about sterilization, but I do know of several children who were conceived at Western Center. I used to work in a group home where about 85% of our individuals came from this place. Several were the result of sexual abuse of patients or patients having sex.

Babies were put in places like this. Back in the day, it was not uncommon for developmentally disabled infants and children to be placed in institutions. The parents were basically told to forget about the child and go on with their lives. You wouldn't believe how many people I took care of in group homes where no family was ever found due to the fact that the child had been placed as an infant. Some knew where their children ended up, some didn't.

On a side note, my uncle worked here when it was Morganza. He called it hell on earth.

Looks like there's something still in the drain. But it does have an "antiquew" look to it. A well "loved" sink.

My fiance should get a kick out this. I'll have to write it down for him. It made me giggle but I kind of felt bad, but since it is a joke I feel better.

Demonic beauty shop? Yes I'd like to get my horns trimmed please!

They would mabye hit better if their teacher vas in front of that chalkboard?

Very clever, Toot!

The loops under the parallel bars were not restraints - how could someone learn to walk when their hands were secured?? They merely helped extend the bars for people who had different skills.

To reply - there were no glassed in areas. The nursing stations were work places for the nursing staff to organize themselves for their days. Also served as an information sharing place for all.

If you don't know - this place was operating and built primarily in the 70's, before the days of arjo lifts. Staff did all the lifting of both adults and children into the tubs. It was easier for staff to lift into a higher tub and safer for the people they were lifting as they didn't have to put them down in a low tub.

It was called a dayroom. A very large living room area where all could congregate for activities.

The tubs were elevated in the days when we didn't use hydrolic lifts. It help save our backs when lifting. lifting would have been much harder closer to the floor.

This closed in ramp area was also used to train staff. We were blind folded and trained to walk up and down the ramp to simulate what it would be like to be totally blind.

It is indeed and elevated tub for those who could not walk or sit on their own. On first glance you might think this place was dark and sad but for 12 years of my working life this place was filled with laughter and love. When it closed I lost many who I considered to be my extended family.