Cloudy skies hung over Lake Elizabeth this morning. I had to cut my weekend morning run with Daisy short because it started raining.
I produced this studio interview on a California Watch investigation for our Sunday morning news show.
Ryan’s report hit a little too close to my childhood home. It mentions what looks like a vicious case of patient abuse at Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona.
Our elementary school bus had Lanterman on its afternoon route. This is the next stop for the bus driver before he dropped us off at my Ninang’s house. I remember students scrambling for seats in the back because they didn’t want to get stuck next to the patients. Eventually, I thought it was mean and petty. One afternoon, I didn’t give up my seat in the front. My classmates hissed at me to move before I got stuck next to a Lanterman Senior Citizen.
I ignored them. A glassy-eyed patient found a spot next to me. We didn’t say much to each other. I remember him smelling like old PJs. He looked peaceful. He wished me a good day and I returned the courtesy.
I always thought Lanterman was doing good things for these men and women. Now, I’m not so sure.