The institution that shocked a nation into changing its laws

Photo Credit: Vlada Karpovich. Photo Sourced From: Pexels
hen World War II ended, a large Staten Island facility on 375 acres of land faced an uncertain future. Some believed that Willowbrook should be used for the care of disabled veterans, but ultimately the preferences of New York governor Thomas Dewey won out. Dewey argued that there were thousands of children in the state who were “mentally and physically defective and feeble minded, who never can become members of society,” who needed to be cared for with a “high degree of tenderness and affection.” On this last matter, the institution would utterly fail: In the coming decades, Willowbrook would become synonymous for social injustice, moral abhorrence, and the glaring failures of the state psychiatric system.
The Willowbrook State School opened on October, 1947, admitting 20 mentally disabled patients from upstate institutions. In only a short time, Willowbrook was overfilled and understaffed. By 1955, it had reached its full capacity of 4,000 occupants. Around that time, hepatitis infections ran rampant among patients and staff. Only a short time later, in 1960, an outbreak of measles killed 60 patients.
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Tammy Cuthbert Garcia
Tammy Cuthbert Garcia is an organic lifestyle entrepreneur, podcast host, radio show personality, health writer and spokesperson for health freedom. She began hosting “Naturally Inspired Podcast” in 2019 where she interviews top minds in lifestyle solutions and health freedom. She makes guest host appearances on AM/FM radio and also has a daily show called “Naturally Inspired Daily”.