A Day for Geraldo
Regarding journalism, it’s hard to match the accomplishments of Geraldo Rivera and officials in Long Island wanted to emphasize his achievements by making May 13th ‘Geraldo Rivera Day’.
At a ceremony in Westbury, NY, honoring attorney and philanthropist Howard Fensterman for his charitable donations to healthcare research, it was an opportune time to acknowledge River for his outstanding reporting about the horrendous conditions at the Willowbrook School for the mentally disabled.
Fensterman’s law firm, Abrams Fensterman, LLP, partially sponsored the ceremonial event along with Hudson Regional LTC Pharmacy and car manufacturer Subaru.
Rivera became nationally famous when, as a NYC reporter for ABC’s Eyewitness News in 1972, he uncovered these conditions at the Willowbrook institution in Staten Island, NY.
As a result of Rivera’s reporting, significant policy changes materialized for the care of mentally ill patients and individuals with disabilities, ultimately leading to the deinstitutionalization movement, which moved patients from large, isolated institutions to community-based care centers. Additionally, legislation such as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (later known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 were introduced.
At the ceremony, Geraldo stood alongside Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Town of Babylon officials as they announced the special day at Life WORC’s 36th annual Geraldo Rivera Golf Classic.
Depraved Indifference Induces Morality
WORC provides residential and community services, employment services, and financial support to patients and families who have developmental disabilities, including autism. It is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded by Vicki Schneps-Yunis in 1971, whose daughter was an attendant at the Willowbrook School.
“I met Geraldo at Willowbrook when my daughter was there and I was marching and picketing, and I was working on knocking on air until Geraldo came with his cameras and the power of his passionate coverage of my darling Lara and the 5400 people that lived there propelled us to a class action lawsuit Willowbrook was closed,” quoting Schneps-Yunis by the Long Island Press.
The facility was shut down due to the advocacy work of Schneps-Yunis and the reporting by Rivera, which brought this issue to the forefront.
The Long Island Press quoted Blakeman stating “Geraldo Rivera is an amazing guy, He’s had an incredible career in journalism and as an advocate. I remember Geraldo when he was a fighting reporter. And he met Vicki [Schneps-Yunis] through his advocacy and his journalistic work at the Willowbrook Center, which was a center that was abusing children. He exposed that and he changed the whole conversation with respect to how we treat people with disabilities and with mental illness. So we’re here to celebrate him, we’re here with Vicki to to raise money and raise the consciousness of people to the plight of these individuals that could use a little extra help.”
As Rivera, who is a West Babylon native, took the podium and said “For all these many, many years, we’ve been on this crusade, we’ve taken this idea, this idea of humanity, this idea of caring for the disabled, treating them with the same constitutional rights as any able-bodied person. It has changed the world with that simple concept, the concept of equality. We have changed the world. No more warehousing of humanity. No more shutting people away. Now it’s embracing, celebrating and moving forward.”
Geraldo Rivera’s impact on journalism and advocacy, particularly through his groundbreaking reporting on the Willowbrook School, has left an indelible mark on society. The designation of May 13th as ‘Geraldo Rivera Day’ in Long Island serves as a testament to his contributions. The ceremony in Westbury, NY, honoring both Howard Fensterman for his philanthropic efforts and Rivera for his advocacy, highlighted the profound changes spurred by Rivera’s work. His exposure of the inhumane conditions at Willowbrook not only led to policy reforms and significant legislation but also shifted the societal approach toward individuals with disabilities, advocating for their rights and dignity.
In Conclusion
This event, supported by Fensterman’s law firm, Hudson Regional LTC Pharmacy, and Subaru, showcased the continued commitment to these ideals through organizations like Life WORC, founded by Vicki Schneps-Yunis, a fellow advocate inspired by Rivera’s work.
As Rivera eloquently stated, the fight for equality and humane treatment for all individuals, regardless of their abilities, continues to drive forward, changing the world for the better. The community’s recognition and celebration of Rivera’s legacy reinforce the enduring importance of journalistic integrity and advocacy in fostering social change. Donations to Life WORC remain a vital avenue for supporting this ongoing mission.