1,384 Comments for Gaebler Children's Center

boiler 1220,
Hey Dennis, just out of curiosity, is that Dairy Queen still down the road from Gaebler?
I remember going to that when Gary would come up and take me out for a couple of hours.

Pookie,Former Patient,
Well now, you have me at a disadvantage.
You remember me?
Been so long ago.
I am glad that we can come together and perhaps get some closure and maybe healing too.
I think that most of us, if not all, went through hell growing up, not only in this place, but growing up in general.
I know I still have major trust issues because of "the adults" which has made me a kind of recluse.
Seems like every time I trust someone they stab me in the back.
So my trust is hard to earn, but once you earn it, you have a friend for life, unless you lie to me, then trust is lost.

Marie
How did u know I was in danvers state???

Marie
Yes it was. The program is still up and running in tewksbury ma. Its called centerpoint. It moved there when danvers closed. At that time the place was very helpful. The problem I had was trying to explain to them that I had lied to geabler and told them that I had done all the stuff that they said I did just to get out. They didn't believe that all the stuff that went on in gaebler went on, and thought "the move was to much for me" and I was back in denial. after three years of a lot of crap I was cleared and released. Centerpoint has changed a lot of procedures and remains a helpful therapeutic I.R.T.P. "Individual residential treatment program". It changed once all these places like gaebler closed down. Its to bad I couldn't work with the people there just because I stopped working with them once they didn't believe me about gaebler. They didn't want to let me out and got a court order to keep me in. But a outside therapist evaluated me and said I was perfectly normal. And some court evidable testing cleared me. They found out all the stuff did happen at gaebler and apologized. I still talk to them now and then. And some staff still work there 16 years later.

@Boiler 1220-I'm sorry that the environment at the Gaebler was not therapeutic. If you don't mind me asking, was it a more positive environment at Danvers State?

Marie
Not that I could tell you. The only therapists that I knew of were there to find any kind of problem they could label you with, or make up. And make sure it stuck with you for the rest of your time in the system. There were also some that met with you to see how all the meds they tried on you were affecting you. They were not good people in my eyes.

@Boiler 1220-Hello again! I was just wondering, were there any music or art therapists employed at the Gaebler? Just curious.

Marie
You know! I never had any friends later on, like the ones I had when I was in gaebler. Did any of us?

@Boiler 1220-Hi! I'm glad you all at least had that bond together. Somethimes when people go through rough times, it brings them together, since they are all feeling similar things. I hope you're doing OK today-best wishes! : )

Marie
A lot of us know that now but did loose a feeling of love and family from that time. Its just different for us. Some of the best friends I have ever had were while I was here. us kids just fell apon each other. And we all stuck together. For the ones I talk to today, even though I haven't met them and they were there at different times. There still seems to be a type of bond.

This is very sad...all those kids needed was to feel wanted, loved, and cared about. What kind of family backgrounds did they come from? Were they ever nurtured while growing up? If only we could heal those lost souls today, to reach out to them and let them know that they, too, are special in God's eyes and deserve validation.

I drove by the Gaebler the other day, and you know what? If I was a millionare, I would rehab the place, hire competent professionals, including art and music therapists, and make it the best healing center for children in the world!

this is an awesome picture

Looks like this place is comin down pretty soon.

This is the small closet that looks into the restraint room that is between ward A and the gym. It was a restraint room when I was there. That closet has a small step up and that window to see into the room