Readers React: The struggles of Nathaniel Ayers

Re “A tough call on medication,” Column, April 23

I am so grateful Steve Lopez has chosen to tell Nathaniel Ayers’ story — and continue to tell it — as he moves through the disorienting periods of his life. Having a relative with mental illness, I know the difficulties of trying to get someone who resists medication to take it.

Forcing mentally ill patients to take their medication is a complex issue. Mentally ill patients who start feeling better will often go off their meds, and the cycle begins again.

I had a conservatorship for a relative for nearly 15 years, and although she was not free to roam the streets as a bag lady (as she did when she was out), at least she had a better quality of life and a relationship with family while she was in a secured home.

Only as the public continues to hear the struggles of this complicated problem will it understand its moral, legal and public policy issues.

Niki Tennant

Long Beach

As a retired physician, I appreciate Lopez’s keen understanding of the issues schizophrenics face on a daily basis.

Schizophrenics, rather reliably, go off their medications and seem to get progressively worse with each resultant psychotic break. Because of the real possibility of self-harm, I would come down on the side of forcing medication, though this course is not entirely satisfactory.

I have a relative in a similar position; it is extraordinarily difficult to be of real help. It’s a lifelong source of worry for loved ones.

David Hurwitz

Calabasas

Lopez’s column was one of the most sensitive to the dilemma that faces the consumer, family member, friends, defense and prosecution that I have ever read. Bravo.

One can only hope the substitute decision-maker (under the conservatorship) has the ability, sensitivity and fortitude to get the person what he actually needs.

Carla Jacobs

Tustin

The love Lopez has for Nathaniel Ayers is palpable. I hope one day my autistic son, a cellist who managed (with his behavioral medication) to get into both the Colburn School and the Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, can play a duet with Ayers — at Colburn’s Zipper Hall or at Cortines.

Richard Walden

Los Angeles

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