Where is Ricky?

I've always been aware that decades ago, from about the 1930's through the 1960's, couples who had mentally incapacitated children were encouraged by family doctors and pediatricians to commit the child into an institution for the mentally ill. Family visits and all forms of contact were usually frowned upon.

This short 2:16 video, really touched my heart:


So, my question is this, do you have a family member with a mental disability and if so, when you sit back and think what might've become of your loved one if this was about 40 years ago, how does it make you feel? What is your take on the actions of these former doctors and perhaps the parents who surrendered their children to the state?

video found via mental_floss .