Indiana: 28-Year-Old Jamie Beck Makes State History as First to Regain Decision-Making Rights

Jamie Beck works full-time at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, with benefits.

She lives in a Muncie apartment with a housemate, following and enforcing rules, cooking and cleaning.

Photo by Erskine Green Training Institute

Now, the 28-year-old has regained the legal right to make her own decisions.

Wayne County Superior Court II Judge Gregory Horn on Wednesday granted Beck's petition to terminate her guardianship by Achieva Resources Corporation and its president, Dan Stewart, and approved a Supported Decision Making agreement for Beck, who has a mild intellectual development disability.

"Yay. It feels pretty awesome," Beck said when asked how she felt after the hearing attended by about a dozen supporters for her historic moment. "To be able to make my own choices with help is really great."

Beck is the first Indiana resident to use a Supported Decision Making agreement and regain decision-making rights. About a year ago, Wayne County and Achieva were granted the state's first pilot program after the Indiana Supreme Court granted an American Bar Association request for a model Supported Decision Making program.

"Jamie, it's been an absolute pleasure to get to know you and to follow you," Horn said. "I'm glad that you're the first one, and I wish you all the success in the world."

Under the Supported Decision Making agreement, Beck, who will still receive Medicaid waiver services to make sure she is safe and thriving, selects a team to assist her and determines how they will advise her in area such as finances, healthcare, legal matters and housing, much like parents, family members and friends do for just about anyone making important life choices. In the end, though, the choices now are legally hers, which she said isn't the least bit scary.

"It's time," Beck said. "God takes you to this place."

Full Article and Source:
28 Year-Old Jamie Beck Makes Indiana History as First to Regain Decision-Making Rights

See Also:
NASGA: Supported Decision-Making