Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy and mental retardation. In California, some of the most severely disabled are cared for at several state-run facilities with around-the-clock supervision.But while the state spends about $300,000 a year on each patient, an investigation by Eyewitness News media partner California Watch has uncovered a pattern of abuse and neglect at the centers and a failure to hold staff and administrators accountable.
When he was a child, Van Ingraham was diagnosed with mental retardation and severe autism. As he grew older, his family found they could not cope with his disabilities.
"It became very clear that he was not going to be able to ever talk or function on his own, in society," said Larry Ingraham.
The Ingrahams turned to Fairview Developmental Center in Orange County. It's one of five state-run institutions in California for those with severe developmental disabilities, serving roughly 2,000 patients who need full-time supervision and care.
"We would go up and visit and Van seemed happy there," said Larry.
But one day in 2007, Larry Ingraham, a retired police officer, got a call that his brother Van had been rushed to the hospital.
"He was in ICU, intensive care, Hoag Memorial Hospital," said Larry. "I've seen a lot of bad sights in my life, but this is one of the worst."
The staff at Fairview Developmental Center said Van had simply fallen out of bed. But a neurosurgeon at the hospital said Van's injury was no accident.
"They said either your brother was bodysurfing at The Wedge in Huntington Beach and had a severe impact into the sand with a large wave, or somebody did this to your brother," said Larry.
Van Ingraham died as result of his injuries.
If Van had been an ordinary citizen, his death would likely have been investigated by local police. But California's developmental centers have their own in-house police force, hired by the same administrators who run the centers. In Van's case, those in-house police waited five days before interviewing potential suspects.
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Questions Surround State Agency in Wake of Autistic Man's Death
Not only the people who run the facilities; the state is responsible for the safety and protection of its citizens. The state must be made liable as well, if they don't accept their responsibility.
ReplyDeleteThis article brings to mind the Nancy Golin case - an absolutely outrageous tragedy.
ReplyDeleteThis is happening all over the country.
ReplyDeleteOld people and disabled people don't matter enough to society for society to change it.
These fields intersect quite a bit, and often people get them confused. I'm going to give a hypothetical story that'll help you remember the difference between the three, and a quick summary of each. Jimmy Helpnot, a young white adult of 19 years of age decided on Monday to go rob a bank, using ...","name":"Communication, Sociology, Psychology: A Quick Guide
ReplyDeleteThe media has a great responsibility in bringing the lives of severely autistic adults and their families to the public for understanding and support. Not just when the severely autistics are killed by others or the parents of autistic children or adults commit suicide. We are a great nation. We can do better. Larry Ingrahm is a true hero. This man deserves an award for his sibling advocacy, bravery, courage and love. Meanwhile, those who caused Van's death must be held accountable. When a law goes unpunished the people feel it's okay to do wrong. It is not okay to neglect or abuse a severely autsitic person. SO many times you read about how "disabled" they were. How horrible their behaviors were. Well, that isn't a reason to abuse or neglect them. It's a reason to bring more support, love and compassion. I hope they prosecute the caregivers and supervisors involved. These people know what happened.
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