Lenore has raised Darius, 23, and his brother Jamal, 20, since infancy when they lost their mother to drug addiction. Working as a nurse, Lenore also raised her own six children, one of whom, Patrick, 47, has had disabilities since birth. Lenore, Darius, Jamal, and Patrick all live together in Prince George's County.

 

Darius has autism and needs constant one-on-one attention to focus his energies. Since school ended for him two years ago, he sits at home all but a couple of hours a week. He has run out of the house and gotten lost twice. Sleepless at night, he roams the rooms, punching holes in the walls, tearing the blinds, and spinning the ceiling fans.

 

Lenore had a stroke three months ago, and now she, Darius, and Patrick rely on Jamal to care for all of them.

 

Jamal, a talented rapper Lenore calls "the philosopher," helps his brother to bathe and dress. "Only Jamal can calm Darius' tantrums," says Lenore. But Jamal is so needed at home, he can't work a job.

 

"Darius is like a prisoner in the house, and so are we," says Lenore. She wants a day program for Darius and a few hours of help on the weekends, and she cannot understand why this help has been impossible to get.