The patient was an autistic adult who was brought into the ED because he was assaulted by his caregiver. He had a sibling under the caregiver’s care who was also disabled. The family lived out of state and was here visiting family. Lauren spent most of her day advocating for placement and making sure the other sibling (who was not a patient) was also safe. She was on the phone with both NC and SC DSS. Many people may have given up or reported the problem to the next shift or department, but Lauren didn’t.

“I know this weekend wasn’t easy. You spent a lot of time working to secure a safe outcome for a patient on the back hallway, being an advocate for the person who needed one. It’s the social work/safety net part of what we do; sometimes it’s the most trying. (Having) an adult disabled son, I can only hope that if he ever needs someone to be his voice that he will have someone who will give of their time the way you did. What you do matters, and I appreciate you.”