Book/Movie Assignment and Reflection Paper: “The Soloist”

Questions for Reflection:

1. Briefly tell the story of how Steve Lopez, a writer for the LA Times newspaper and Nathaniel Ayers, form an alliance and friendship.

One day on a routine trip to the office, unfulfilled LA Times writer Steve Lopez hears beautiful music coming from the distance. Unable to continue, he discovers Nathaniel Ayers playing a two-string violin. Steve isn’t only moved by the music, but Nathaniel’s story as well. He discovers that he is a partially Juilliard trained homeless musician plagued with schizophrenia. Ayers’ potential and Lopez’s passion for helping him ties the individuals together. Ayers realizes slowly that Lopez really does care for him and eventually becomes accepting of some of the ways that Ayers tries to help. The alliance and friendship are strengthened when Lopez realizes the difference that he has made in Ayers's life is surprisingly mutual. Lopez’s persistence in helping Ayers brings them closer and ends up making a huge difference in both men’s lives. Lopez’s experience with Ayers helped him work out his family issues which ultimately lead to him becoming a better husband and father.

2. Describe some of the signs and symptoms of untreated schizophrenia that Nathaniel experiences.

Ayers experiences severe delusions and hallucinations. There are even scenes where he begins to hear voices (auditory hallucinations), which ultimately leads to him not being able to cope with his music training. Ayers also lashes out and experiences rage in multiple situations. Nathanial displayed symptoms of schizophrenia at a very early age. He chose to live in a basement close to his instruments and was even afraid to leave his shopping cart alone later in life as a homeless individual. This inhibited him from having valuable musical experiences. He displays erratic behavior like diving into oncoming traffic to retrieve a cigarette butt.

3. Describe Nathaniel’s personal history with mental illness, and some of the issues that leads him to want to be homeless in Los Angeles.

Nathaniel began displaying symptoms of mental illness early in his childhood. There were times when peers would laugh at him in school. Nathaniel begins to experience auditory hallucinations at Julliard. He only attended the school for two years, and a breakdown prevented him from continuing his education. He ended up running away from Julliard. Estranged from his family, he found solace playing his two-stringed violin on the streets.

4. Describe the impact of Nathaniel’s illness on his sister, Jennifer?

Nathaniel’s struggle with schizophrenia definitely had an effect on his sister Jennifer. There were times when she would try and take care of him and he would lash out and attack her. For example, Jennifer tried to comfort him with soup after he ran from Julliard and he experiences a breakdown. He begins trying to force-feed Jennifer soup, throws the tray at her, and begins to run. Jennifer has to actually follow him in her car. Jennifer always loved her brother and was actually there for him, despite his constant rejection. Her support continues from childhood to his adult life.

5. What does Steve Lopez learn about the homeless mentally ill on skid row in Los Angeles, the mental health laws in California, and treatment of persons with mental health problems who are homeless in LA?

Steve Lopez learns that the homeless mentally ill of California have really been forgotten. These individuals slip through the cracks and don’t receive proper nourishment or medical attention. Living conditions on the streets are deplorable and there are really no housing assistance programs available to help mentally ill homeless people take control of their lives. Steve experiences the arrest of many homeless individuals and a police officer holding a bloody shirt. He is thankful later that this wasn’t the shirt of Nathaniel Avers. Mental illness affecting these individuals wasn’t considered, and many were treated like criminals.

6. Why does Nathaniel fear living inside? What other things does he fear? What happens to Steve when he tries to get Nathaniel to live in an apartment?

Nathaniel fears living inside because he had a breakdown earlier in his life where he began to hear voices in his old apartment. Nathaniel believes that an apartment will keep him from hearing the natural sounds of the street. When Steve initially tries to get him to move into the apartment he doesn’t even want to walk inside. He fears to leave his instruments with anyone at LAMP. Nathaniel is skeptical of people and doesn’t want his belongings stolen.

7. How did this movie/book impact you as a person/ as a nursing student? What would you like to do as a response to having experienced Nathaniel’s story?

As a nursing student, this movie/book inspired me to strive to be an empathetic healthcare provider. It is important not to apply “blanket” care to all people. Some mental illnesses can be less visible than others. While there were times that Ayer’s illness was blatantly apparent, the humanness of his illness was brought forth beautifully in this film. In addition to my nursing duties, as a result of this film, I would like to be an advocate for the mentally ill. I will commit to learning more about individual mental illnesses to ensure that I am well prepared in my approach to individualized patient care.