Richard's illness and badly damaged short term memory mean that he can
easily be manipulated. He will not necessarily know how long he goes
without visitors; his loyalty to his brother, and his difficulty in
remembering new facts could make it very difficult for him to credit what is
taking place; any queries or concerns he raises can easily be forgotten or
side-stepped; any demands he makes can be totally ignored.
Such comments are not hypothetical. I have seen the family's treatment of Richard when I was still able to have contact with him in hospital. In July 1995 I managed to see Richard in the nursing home where he also spends some of his time. His brother, once alerted to my presence, physically forced Richard apart from me and returned him to his own home so that it would not be possible for us to meet again. Richard's delight at seeing me was indescribable and his dismay at being forced away unbearable. He made his feelings at such separation very clear but can no longer match his brother either physically or mentally. The Matron of the nursing home was adamant that, whatever Richard's own expressed wishes, she felt obliged to follow the directions of his brother. Contrary to his family's presumed fear, I have no designs on Richard's money and no wish to deny his family the inheritance that will one day come to them from their bachelor relation.
To whom can Richard turn? To whom can I refer his case if ever his
wishes are to be respected?
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