Part IV Goldilocks and the Police

The date is October 31, 2008 and I have been wandering since September 3, 2008. I have made my way to Dallas/Fort Worth the long way you have to say. I have lost all that I own, my documents and my dignity. Now I truly look like one of the homeless without anywhere to go. I am completely delusional and can be seen walking Sundance Square talking to myself and picking up bits of food here and there. I have lost 50 pounds and my clothes, lent to me by Union Gospel Mission, barely fit. I walk aimlessly but no one stops and asks can they help.

I have the survivor instinct and stay away from large crowds, but then I do something that I don't believe myself. I go to a financial institution and open a bank account. I don't have any money but deep inside I know that my check will be arriving soon, November 3rd. The people there are very friendly and make sure that the transaction goes through so the deposit will occur without any problems. What I don't realize is that the whole process will take time. This poses another question for loved ones, mainly, do we allow for finances to be available when a loved one is in a manic state? I don't know the answer to this question, but I believe for the safety of the individual it would be in his/her good interest. It would also allow the family to tract down where they, the loved one, has been. Giving a lead to find them and rescue them from their disease.

I have digressed, but now let us turn to that day October 31st. I have made contact with the Vice President of the financial institution and have his card. It is getting cold and I start telling myself that it is time to find a place to sleep. Well there is a bed and breakfast in Fort Worth that I am able to get into and an lo and behold there is an room that is unlocked. Just like Goldilocks I find food and commence to eat it. I take a shower and go to bed. Well, I am awaken by the police who want to know how I got into the room. I tell them that the Vice President, I have the business card, told me to come up to this room and make myself comfortable. They don't buy that I and I am whisked in handcuffs to the holding cells in another part of Fort Worth. I am convicted with trespassing. I am then placed in jail and I don't have the bond to be released.

I spend time in jail until they begin to determine that I have mental issues whereby I am sent to North Texas State Hospital and labeled incompetent. At this point I have experienced being in jail first hand and what it is like to be in a state hospital. I argue that I am not incompetent but the meds have not taken hold yet. It takes three months for the medicine to work and during that time I begin to reconstruct this journey which I have had. My brother tries to get executorship of myself but I am lucid enough to fight it. I continue to get better and realize that having my own executorship would be best for me. I also realize that this time in the hospital was the best place for me since I have time to think and also time out of the elements. I try to think of the best place to live and start to live a new life. It then comes to me that, you wanted to live in Texas, this is your opportunity.

By the time I am out of the hospital, I have totally regained my faculties and able to process what I needed to do in order to survive. I have decided to live in Dallas/Fort Worth. Since the family has totally written me off, it would be best for me. Time to start a new life. Meanwhile I had lost all that I had in Florida, all my possessions, but I have my health and can start again.

There is a message in this post and that is, what type of training does the police officials have in determining the mental status of the people they are arresting? This could be an area for further development of inservice programs for them and the jail. This post is not intended to slam the authorities but give them further guidance as to how to improve and catch those who fall through the cracks. I applaud the social worker at the jail when I returned from North Texas State Hospital for her persistence in getting me on my way in a group home and maintaining my medication from the county. I was now a consumer of services from MHMR of Tarrant County.

Thank you for reading and trust that it gives you further food for thought.