1,384 Comments for Gaebler Children's Center

Ann Marie
You were there before me, but for some reason the Gaebler girls sounds familiar. How are today. I spent alot of time in the building until they took it down a few months ago. Do you still live in the area?

Ann Marie Narreau,
I applaud your courage in telling your story. I was also mistreated there ( I went from 1977-80). The homeroom teachers there were either dim-witted old-timers who didn't know about our true conditions, or abusive tyrants (with a my-way-or-the-highway mentality) who didn't CARE about our true conditions. They were in the wrong, not us (you cannot learn how to be a responsible adult when you're locked away in an isolated room, like I was most of the time). I also have anger from the way they treated us like garbage. I've lashed out on jobs (more frequently than I'd like to admit). That's why I'm unemployed today. I hate society! They expect you to tow their adult line after they couldn't be bothered with you as a kid.
But I WILL own up to one bad mistake that I'm truly sorry for. I apologize to you and the other gaebler girls if some of my bad jokes upset you. If I had only known what kind of hell the gaebler girls REALLY went through, I would not crack my bad sex jokes there. Let's just put it that way.

Wow!!!! I really hate that room right now.

Renee
Does anyone really shake the place

I remember having a talent show. I forgot about that

that big room was the activities room. we used to get coffee & plain doughnuts on sunday mornings. That's pretty much all I remember. Oh wait... I do remember being in a talent show in that room too. creepy huh ?

I was there a very long time ago-1979 when I was 12 until 1983 & it was truly a nightmarish experience ! The cold in the winter,the heat in the summer, the fear, the unwanted attacks by the boys that were suppossed to stay on the other side of the ward etc...... but, I do have a few good memories. I was on ward E if my memory is correct. I remember staff members George Gallitano, Sean Cunningham, Marie ( the clicker ) Phil etc.... I sometimes wonder about certain kids that I was there with & wonder if they're okay these days-it took me a long time to shake that place. Is anyone friends with Lisa galloway, Francis Kidder or Karen DiPaolo ?

Aspie
I second the part about being blamed for things you didn't do

I went to Gaebler as a day student 1977-80. I was scorned and unfairly judged by bigoted people there because of something that I had no way of knowing about. When you don't know what Asperger's Syndrome is, and therefore have no way of knowing that you have it yourself (Hell, back in those days we hardly even knew much about autism in general), it renders you unable to learn what you're doing wrong (or it takes you longer to learn than others, by which point you've already alienated everyone around you). Even worse (and this part is REALLY the pits!), you can't even explain why (not that anybody would actually listen, in the first place). The crooked teachers and counselors there were a royal suckpill; they would've made Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin proud! However (except for the jerks who falsely accused me of doing bad stuff that I did not do) my sincerest apologies to my fellow Gaebler classmates that I accidentally ticked off (we might have gotten along better had we not been trapped in the prisons of our ignorance and personal torments).

Jodi
Without knowing what?

Debbie
Was there is right. I also believe that dss and dys had to many kids. And places like this were a good place to stock us. If we were labeled with problems they would not have to deal with putting us in familys,houses ect. Just a good overstock program

Debbie,

I would say ahuge majority of us were there for behavioral issues. It was easy to slap a mental health label on kids who had lives harder than any adult had ever seen. DYS at that point, especially in the 80s, was basically for mid to older teenagers, criminal activity sort of events, not children who had witness or been exposed to severe forms of abuse within their living environments who then acted out in different ways because they had not really been taught any better.

Thank you for all the comments. They reflect the reality of what I went through and are very validating. It is hard to find others who have been through seclusion rooms.

Debbie
I am going to bed now, but I will reply tomorrow

Could I ask a question please? Why were kids put there? Were they diagnosed with a mental illness before they were put in there? I work in a State Hospital now, have been in the field for 26 years. I have worked with young boys and girls before. I found it very difficult, but most of the kids were not mentally ill either, mostly behavioral issues. I have read so much from everyone on here and it sounds like it was just horrible being in this place. I would just like a little background on the kids lives and such. Would appreciate any response but I also will understand if noone wants to discuss. I'm just asking. Thanks!!