Case Studies  

Locked Up By Old Habits

   R. was a 32 year old who lived at home with his mother and had not spoken or left his own bedroom—except for meals and to use the restroom—for 4 years.  At the age of 17, R. had dropped out of school, though he eventually completed his G.E.D.  Upon discovering that R. had lost over 100 pounds, his mother became concerned and became desirous of being named R.’s guardian.  However, this would prove more difficult than she had initially imagined.

According to Illinois law, R. would be required to be medically evaluated to assess competency before moving forward on a Guardianship proceeding, but, since he refused to leave his room, this would be next-to-impossible to accomplish.  Furthermore, R. had neither government entitlements nor a disciplinary or mental health record, which meant that he was not even in the system.  R.’s mother, divorced for over 25 years, was employed as a health care worker and had limited funds.  This lead to the question: How could R. and his mother gain access to any records in order to facilitate testing or guardianship proceedings?  

The answer to these difficult questions came when R.’s attorney contacted LCI.  LCI assisted R.’s mother in intervening with R. obtaining a court order that stated that local sheriffs could assist in transporting R., with the most limited force possible, to a medical evaluation.  Fortunately, R. agreed to cooperate with the sheriffs and allow the medical evaluation, at which time it was discovered that he was emaciated and had not bathed in over one year.  After being successfully admitted to the hospital, where he remained for four days, he received both a medical and a psychiatric evaluation and diagnoses.  Following this stay, R. returned to his home and his problematic behaviors resumed. 

  With documented proof of his disability, his mother was appointed his legal guardian. Through the process, R. eventually and voluntarily went to court where he spoke for the first time in 4 years telling the judge that he did not want a guardian.  The court was unwilling to reinstate R.’s rights until his self-care improved.   Presently, LCI has developed a care plan, is assisting R.’s mother in her application for Social Security Disability Income, and continues to be encouraged by gradual improvement in R.’s situation and lifestyle. back. . .