This reminds me of one of my ex-wife’s co-workers son. He was at the time 35 years old, 6’1”, about 200 lbs., looked like a young Tom Selleck from Magnum P.I. and he was mentally retarded. He had the mind of a 7 year old, and he was in love with the game of Baseball. He was attached to this San Francisco Giants Baseball that he had for years. Attached like a grunt is attached to his Woobie, wherever he went the baseball went. One time when we were over at their house, he could not find his baseball, and he had a fit. He got so angry that he folded a solid oak grandfather clock like it was laundry. Burst into pieces with his bare hands, and JoAnn, said that if he can’t find that baseball he will destroy things until I find it.
Imagine if while in public John could not find his baseball, and started destroying things and JoAnn tried to intervene? He has hurt her in the past without meaning to, yet to an outsider who does not know his mental capacity; it would look like a 35 year old man attacking a 67 year old woman. Inject “Captain-Save-A-Ho” in to the mix with his CCW. Say he put Ol’e John down for good, not knowing the back story, John’s mental capacity and that JoAnn is not being attacked, she is trying to calm him down?
This is why, if, and that is a big “If”, one decides to interject, most of all with a lethal response, communicate with who you think the victim is. “Do you need help, what is going on, etc.” or simply stand by and don’t be too quick to react. Additionally, the difference between AOD (Alcohol & Other Drugs) use and mental illness is difficult to identify, even for those of us in the industry. What is worse is the dully diagnosed population, wherein they have a mental diagnosis before the age of 18 years, have the deficit as an adult and they self-medicate with a myriad of substances,… legal and illegal. Be a good witness and call the professionals (Law Enforcement, Fire & EMS), especially if there are no weapons involved (Knife / Firearm). If there are weapons,… Make a good call and be triple sure.
As far as I know, John is now a ward of the State as JoAnn, his Mom passed away over 10 years ago. I can only imagine what they have had to deal with when she passed as she was his everything. I will say however, it was funny to see him in public, As women would constantly approach him and try to talk to him. Again, he looked like Tom Selleck, and they would try to talk to him about Adult things and he would whip out his baseball cards and ask if they have any favorite players. JoAnn basically had to beat them off of him and say, “He is not interested” or “He is an APS (Adult Protective Services) report in the making.” So, while one is out an about, remember John and that everything is not as it initially appears. Be safe, Everyone!
