William has a permanent intellectual disability that renders him lacking “capacity to make
or communicate responsible decisions concerning his person . . . because of a mental
disability or disease[.]”
By petition filed on April 24, 2023, Parents asked the court “to modify the current
Guardianship order” in four respects: (1) to “allow William the right to vote;” (2) to appoint
Parents as guardians of William’s person and property, with authority to open and maintain
bank accounts, secure public benefits, and manage assets; (3) to name Parents “as
Supported Decision Makers for William,” under E&T § 18-103; and (4) to name
“William’s family friend Andrea Waring, and aunt, Dr. Yulanda Swindell, M.D., as
successor Supported Decision Makers,” under E&T § 18-107(c)(2).
In support, Parents filed a Physician’s Certificate under Md. Rule 10-202(a),
identifying William’s diagnoses as of January 10, 2023, as “intellectual impairment,”
“speech impairment,” and “scoliosis,” with “moderate” “[m]emory, cognitive, and
executive functioning” and the need for appropriate support to live in the community.
According to the examining doctor, William was “unable to make decisions regarding: his
finances/if he should or should not have a medical procedure done. Emergency situations
such as electricity problems/basement flooding” and “[d]ecisions such as needing a lawyer
or any professional.”
Likewise, a licensed clinical social worker assessed that William’s “[i]ntellectual
impairment,” although “moderate” with respect to “cognitive function,” “severely impacts
[his] ability to make complex decisions and ability to communicate clearly.” In her
opinion, he needed a guardian of his property because he was able to make “simple daily
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