Where is nathaniel ayers now

They are victims of job loss, economic reversal, mental illness, addiction. For too long now, the explanations have all sounded more like excuses. We need six of everything we know is working and a dozen of what might work better.

Who other than us, living in this laboratory, should be figuring out what those more creative approaches might be? We need more modular housing, more shelters, more medical and mental health services, greater use of neglected public and private property for housing and shelters. The volume of meth, opiate and alcohol addiction is huge, our drug war is useless, and our rehab efforts embarrassing.

And we need people who demand answers to stop saying no when the proposed shelters or the services are near where they live. Can you imagine being able to say that about Los Angeles? But we need a broad cultural makeover. I can empathize with families that get worn out waiting for change, and frustrated at the built-in madness of systems that are supposed to help but often do the opposite.

You try to lower expectations, because guilt and hope can destroy you. But then you catch a glimpse, once more, of the human being behind the mask. Every visit with Nathaniel is opera. He wants to leave, he wants to stay.

He breaks my heart, to be honest. California native Steve Lopez has been a journalist for 45 years. We need to talk about it, tell stories of the people who are in this predicament and keep searching for the solutions. Skip to content. Speaking out for homelessness. I will never forget that day. Despite seeing a number of doctors and being subjected to the wide-range of treatment options, nothing seemed to help Ayers, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

There was just hoping that it would work out that way, he would go back to the guy that I knew — was having fun, would teach me stuff, let me run around, play catch with him or whatever. The talented musician was eventually accepted to The Ohio State University where he joined the orchestra.

But his health hindered him from graduating. After their mother passed away in , Ayers went on the search to find his father in Los Angeles, but that did not turn out as he planned and he hit one of the lowest points of his life. For the next five years, he was homeless on the streets of Skid Row and only seemingly found solace from playing music. Ayers center at the Los Angeles premiere in was thrust into the spotlight and accompanied on several trips by his sister right who was his conservator at the time.

She also created the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation to raise public awareness about mental health. Ayers was thrust into the spotlight and accompanied on several trips by his sister who was his conservator at the time. She also created the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation NAAF to raise public awareness about mental health and help families who are seeking support for a loved one suffering from mental illness.

And that movie and the book and the articles, allowed him the opportunity to be treated nicely like a human. He loves being respected so much. She added that though it did help her brother, she would do things completely differently now. Ayers no longer lives on the street and is currently living at a facility in LA where he is safe, has access to doctors, therapy and can often be found playing one of several instruments.

The respect he received helped to change him and make him a better person. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Argos AO. Privacy Policy Feedback. Ten years after Hollywood made a movie about him, the life of tormented Juilliard music prodigy - whose tragic story and incredible talent inspired Jamie Foxx film The Soloist - has hit a positive new note The life of Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, 65, is the true story behind the film, The Soloist, staring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.

The year-old is a musical prodigy who can play the double bass, violin, trumpet, guitar, cello, piano, drums and more He was awarded a full scholarship to The Juilliard School in the s but had to leave during his third year when he suffered a mental breakdown Ayers was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had electric shock therapy treatment when he returned home to Cleveland He moved to Los Angeles in and was homeless in Skid Row when he met a columnist who then began to write articles about him in Those columns were made into a book, which was adapted into the movie Now, 10 years later, his sister gives an update on her talented brother By Regina F.

Share or comment on this article: New reality of The Soloist 10 years after film about him e-mail Comments 33 Share what you think. View all. Bing Site Web Enter search term: Search. Askins believes Mr. The doctor has recommended medication that he believes could help control Mr.

Ayers has a decidedly different take. Yes, he told the Commissioner Laura Hymowitz, he has acted inappropriately at times and deeply regrets it. But he is adamantly opposed to forced medication and believes he can function well without it.

He also said he likes music, and that the Hollywood Bowl is a beautiful place where the seats are often filled. I managed to hold it together pretty well until that point. And then I lost it. Ayers; no one who has taught me more about courage and about believing in something and remaining faithful to it regardless of the challenges. The journey we began more than nine years ago has taken us from skid row to the White House, where Mr.

Ayers performed and met President Obama. As I sat in court, I wrestled again with my enduring conflict, part of me respecting Mr. Thousands of people confront these issues for years on end. Forced psychiatric commitments, and forced medication, are at the center of a decades-long legal, moral and medical debate over the civil liberties of people with mental disorders.

There are compelling arguments on all sides, no stock answers, and no two cases alike. When his condition worsened a month ago, Mr.