- In 1983 Sharon Kowalski suffered severe brain damage from a car accident. Karen Thompson, Sharon’s lover for four years before the accident, was denied visitation rights by Kowalski’s father when he was awarded legal guardianship in July 1985. Claiming that Sharon was incapable of making decisions, he placed her in a nursing home, where her condition deteriorated. Sharon’s plight has been the catalyst for court action and Page 400 →demonstrations seeking to strengthen the rights of Lesbian, gay, and disabled persons in relationships; to protect them from guardianship abuse; and to ensure that disabled people are allowed to speak for themselves. In February 1989 Sharon and Karen started visiting again; Sharon’s father asked to resign as guardian; and in June 1989, Sharon moved to a rehabilitation center where she is now allowed to participate in making decisions about her life.
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