I wrote last month about my goal to get Ruth Berk, long time resident of 95 Christopher Street, out of DeWitt Nursing Home. She had been sent there involuntarily last February, in what seems to be a collusive effort by her landlord and a judge to decontrol a two bedroom penthouse. I wrote to the court (Justice Tanya Kennedy) on November 7 questioning the legitimacy of the appointment of a guardian when Mrs. Berk did not get to appear at the Guardianship Hearing, a right that is guaranteed by the Mental Hygiene Law. The Judge quickly called the parties in and wrangled a settlement, which, on paper, should result in Ruth’s return to her apartment before Christmas. When Ruth left DeWitt for a few days for surgery, I screamed that she should not be returned to that hell hole, and DeWitt responded by asking that she be housed elsewhere. She is now at the Amsterdam Nursing Home, a far better place. But her life is still controlled by a guardian, so I have filed a Petition with an appellate court to compel the Judge to vacate the guardianship order. I will report next month.
