Guardianship versus supported decision-making
Shelley Jensen was a successful veterinarian in Tampa, about to retire, when a mental health crisis led someone to ask a judge to rule she couldn't make her own decisions. She lost the right to choose where she lived, how she spent her money, and even when she saw her husband. This series follows Shelley and her husband, Chris, as they fight to win back her freedom. Sadly, this happens to people in the disability community far more often than most people realize.
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There is a better way: Supported Decision-Making
Supported decision-making is an alternative to guardianship. The person with a disability chooses people they trust to help them understand their options, but they still make their own decisions and keep control over their own life. We would like to see guardianship eliminated as much as possible in favor of supported decision-making.
To learn more, visit SupportedDecisionMaking.org. In Virginia, see the DBHDS Supported Decision-Making page.