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Mr. Nobody

This short documentary tells the story of Jack Huggins, a 65-year-old man who was removed from his home and certified incompetent when he failed to comply with a Health Department order to clean up his living quarters. Jack felt that he was being treated "like Mr. Nobody. Just Mr. Nobody out on the street." Do mentally competent elders have the right to neglect themselves? Does the state have an obligation to intervene?
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This short documentary tells the story of Jack Huggins, a 65-year-old man who was removed from his home and certified incompetent when he failed to comply with a Health Department order to clean up his living quarters. Jack felt that he was being treated "like Mr. Nobody. Just Mr. Nobody out on the street." Do mentally competent elders have the right to neglect themselves? Does the state have an obligation to intervene?

Social Issues Seniors All subjects
  • director
    Lyn Wright
  • script
    Lyn Wright
  • producer
    Silva Basmajian
  • executive producer
    John Spotton
  • cinematography
    John Walker
  • sound
    Ross Redfern
  • editing
    Leslie Borden Brown
  • sound editing
    Gary Oppenheimer
  • re-recording
    David Appleby
  • narrator
    Tedde Moore
  • music
    Randolph Peters

Education

Ages 16 to 18
Study Guide
Guide 1
School subjects
Civics/Citizenship - Human Rights Family Studies/Home Economics - Aging/Death and Dying Family Studies/Home Economics - Family Diversity and Challenges Family Studies/Home Economics - Housing

Warning (if any): Some language, depictions of diseased/infected flesh.

Brief “lesson launcher type” activity or a series of inquiry questions with a bit of context:

Documentary profiling Jack Huggins, who, in his older age, is reclusive and lives alone with many cats.

Why are there stereotypes surrounding people who live with many cats? Where did this stereotype first originate? Research the history of cats as domestic companions.

Nowadays, there are many TV shows that profile people who live with many items or animals, typically called hoarders. When do local governments have the right to intervene in these cases?

Jack is deemed mentally competent. Should the local government have the right to take control of his finances? Why or why not?

Jack has a powerful relationship with his cats. How do our relationships with animals affect our mental health?

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Mr. Nobody
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