Freeing Teresa

A True Story about My Sister and Me — by Franke James

Cast of Characters

by

Franke: "But Teresa has a legal right to decide where she lives. Have you talked to her?"

Franke: The Activist (Sister)

Siobhan: "This is going to be the most horrible thing we do as a group."

Siobhan: The Planner (Sister)

“I’m not going. I want to stay with Dad.”

Teresa: The Self-Talk Poet (Youngest Sister)

Phoebe: “You may end up saying, Oh my God! The only thing we have is a nursing home.”

Phoebe: The Harmonizer (Sister)

Dad: “She’s got a safe place to live. Here with me!”

Dad: The Retired Lawyer (Father)

Conrad: “I’m not having a discussion until YOU see what we’re putting up with!”

Conrad: The Guardian (Brother)

Bill: “Maybe it’s time to surprise them... They would have to take Teresa off the crisis list.”

Bill: The Campaigner (Frank’s Husband)

Deirdre: “The police will come. Just think of how awful it’ll be for that poor little girl.”

Deirdre: The Boss (Sister)

Cop: “...is going to be apprehended under the Mental Health Act.”

The Police: The Righteous Cop

Note from Publisher: Freeing Teresa is a work of nonfiction. Some of the names and identifying factors have been changed.

Note from Author: The text in the images above is based on videos, audio recordings, and/or emails produced during the actual events. With the exception of Teresa, my siblings do not wish to be identified with this story. I have used pseudonyms for them. In the book where their photos appear, I have replaced their images with blank space. The silhouettes above are symbolic representations, echoing their absence in my life. My father was always a strong supporter of Teresa’s freedom; however, in the photo where he appears, I have blurred his face. The police officer’s face has been redacted in white.