Chapter 14 - CAPACITY Charlotte’s defense began attacking my memory.
Not crudely.
Carefully.
I had once forgotten a cardiology appointment.
True.
I misplaced my wallet for two days.
True.
I repeated stories.
Also true, according to everyone over seventy who has ever had a favorite story.
Her attorney requested medical records relevant to cognition.
Amelia recommended I undergo an independent neuropsychological evaluation.
I hated the idea.
“I’m not the defendant.”
“No.”
“Then why am I proving my brain works?”
“Because facts are better than indignation.”
Dr. Laura Hendricks spent hours with me.
Memory.
Executive function.
Attention.
Language.
Reasoning.
Conclusion:
Normal age-related variability.
No dementia.
No cognitive disorder impairing financial or testimonial capacity.
I performed poorly on one divided-attention measure.
I performed well on delayed recall.
I understood my assets, legal situation, river event, and consequences.
Dr. Hendricks said:
May you like
“You are allowed to be seventy-four without every forgotten noun becoming pathology.”
I liked her.
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