ON THE STREET AGAIN

Sammy McGuire’s ability to choose between homelessness and “normal” living is questionable. As Leslie Earnest reports, Sammy’s early developmental history--complete with head trauma, situational turmoil and severe psychological stress--may indicate that he had neurological injuries or a disease process of the brain.

As a clinical psychotherapist, I have treated people like Sammy who, when psychiatrically stable and off of alcohol and drugs, do opt for less transient and threatening lifestyles.

MARGARET ALTMAN BLAZ

Van Nuys

Editor’s note: Sammy McGuire died of complications from pneumonia in Gainesville, Fla., on Nov. 25, the day after the article about him was published.