David Lodge, an autistic man featured in the documentary, had a string of tragic outcomes. Tragically, these circumstances resulted in his eventual passing at the young age of 40. Despite being considered for a role, David was deemed unsuitable due to his autism, leading to a life confined within the limitations imposed by his condition and society. Widely recognized for his rigid work ethic, David never smoked or drank and regularly consumed a plant-based diet. The moment his sister Keri assumed responsibility for his care, he took to the streets and began running. Pat’s commitment to fitness and well-being was evident from each step he took.
David’s story wasn’t just a series of successes. His autism meant he was extremely sensitive to clothing. He suffered multiple traumatic events in group and institutional care and the trauma of being taken from his family and home. These experiences had a transformative effect on him and influenced how he engaged with everything around him. Since he could no longer speak, David soon became skilled at communicating through a portable small typewriter-like device called a Lightwriter. Now, with this device, he could clearly tell the world what he was thinking and what he needed. For example, he encouraged Keri to remember to clip her daughters’ toenails the evening before they last spoke.
David’s family advocate, second chance Employment Coordinator and Release Planner provided strong structural supports in David’s life. He would make the symbol for 'sister' as the last thing at night and first thing in the morning before Keri arrived, underscoring their close bond. Even with their interventions, David’s death revealed a number of “systemic failings” that were found to be “profoundly shocking” by the charity Mencap. An inquest into his death later found a systemic catastrophic failure during his last hours of life. Yet he got zero pain, and a basic medical inspection not even given a thought.
David’s family had requested Shuttleworth daytime support from Hull City Council repeatedly. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what they were given: just one option, a temporary placement in a care home. It was a loss of necessary support that was crucial to David’s death. Overarching issues, including a lack of attention from clinicians and lack of a carer contingency plan led to this tragic outcome.
"They made decisions about his life which demeaned and devalued him, ignored his communication of distress and, ultimately, led to the social circumstances at the time of his death," said Keri Lodge.
David’s death is eerily similar to the equally tragic David Bronson Battersby case. Bronson, only two years old, succumbed to dehydration after his dad had–unexpectedly and non-related to any circumstances–a heart attack. Like Bronson’s father, David’s primary caregiver experienced excessive stress, which was the driving factor to the tragedy.
"He died due to a condition that’s brought about by stress, and the stress was from caring," Keri Lodge remarked.
David was never afforded the chance for those assessments that might have lightened his load. His father, his primary caregiver, experienced rage as well. He felt the state was taking advantage of unpaid caregivers, such as himself.
"Dad felt very angry about what he saw as state exploitation of unpaid carers," shared Keri Lodge.
The endless pressure that David’s father faced as an informal, unpaid carer drove even more stress into their home life. According to Keri Lodge, being a full-time unpaid carer meant being on call 24/7, 365 days a year, without any rest breaks or annual leave.
"I really don’t think many people understand that if you are a full-time unpaid carer like my dad, you are on call 24/7, 365 days of the year, with no rest breaks, no sick leave and no annual leave," she explained.
David’s father’s commitment to staying in shape for David highlights the lengths caring sons will go to, and the sacrifices they make. These sacrifices started to take a very personal toll.
"It requires superhuman strength and fortitude, but it does come at a cost," Keri Lodge acknowledged.
Ultimately, Keri believes that her father's death was influenced by the immense strain of caregiving, which may have contributed to David's own demise.
"I think the strain of caring contributed to, if not caused, his death," she stated.
The tragedy of David's death serves as a poignant reminder of the systemic challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their families. Despite their strained resources, they do everything possible for their patients to deliver the best care and support. Unfortunately, when authorities miss the mark on what they truly need, it can have dire ramifications.