Written by Jim Jacquin

As one of the original members of the ACT Team I have seen my share of triumphs and adversity. What often goes unnoticed are the subtle, but profound changes that occur in our consumer's lives over time, which brings me to Richard N.

A glance at his chart will reveal a few salient details, born in 1937, placed in foster care early in life and then remanded to a state school for mentally disabled children. He had multiple stays in several state hospitals, in 1996. He then lived in a series of boarding houses before ending up at the Crisis Residence, where I first encountered him.

His chart stated his diagnosis with authority, though I am sure there were other diagnoses; annotated and amended, marking his progress over time. His chart couldn't have told me that he had an incorrigible smile, a distinctive shuffle to his gait, and a look of tolerant, bemusement reserved for various, would be do-gooders like me. When he spoke, I didn't understand a word. In time I began to understand him and became his "translator". As we frequented the usual byways that comprise the "System"; exam rooms, cubicles and crowded lobbies.

Richard also had an issue with incontinence which kept him out of most housing; he remained at Crises Residence. In the early days it was hard for him to tolerate medical intervention so the problem persisted.

That is until he left Crisis Residence for a berth in DSS "Family Style" Housing, which lasted 6 hours! Then the inevitable carousel of emergency shelters at night and day long stays at DSS. After a few false starts and a mercifully short spell in the streets, he finally settled into an adult home.

The ACT Team was with him every step of the way, during impromptu meetings in parking lots and street corners, sitting beside him during interviews and evaluations, completing, collating and faxing reams of paperwork, working the phones, advocating and yes pleading.

This year Richard turned 75, the oldest consumer on the Team. In the time he has been at the adult home he has been treated for his incontinence, had two cataracts removed and been stabilized on his medication. He is able to express himself clearly, albeit in the richly, embroidered idioms that comprise his speech. He still struggles with his hygiene, but the days of taping garbage bags over car seats are long gone. He expertly navigates the buses and appears at our office weekly, sometimes for just a cup of coffee, conversation and of course more bus passes!

His life may not be anything close to ideal, but he is living life on his own terms and with dignity. When I told him I was writing an article about him his eyes gleamed. Then with that incorrigible grin splitting his face he bestowed that look on me, you know the one. That look of tolerant, bemusement he reserves for would be do-gooders like me, only this time there's trust there too.