MDLC represented “Louis,” who had been sent to the Rosewood institution from foster care at age 6 and remained there until age 23 when he was discharged to community services.  A few years later, he was discharged from community services and began relying on support from former staff people and the supervisor at his job, until circumstances changed and he needed a more reliable support plan.  Meanwhile, the state had destroyed Louis’ entire record except for the two-page discharge summary.  This discharge summary, prepared by state officials, is the only documentation remaining from Louis’ time at Rosewood and the only documentation describing him prior to the age of 22, the age by which a developmental disability (DD) must have manifested for eligibility purposes.  Unfortunately, the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) did not find this discharge summary persuasive and denied Louis, a former ward of the state, eligibility for services as an individual with a DD.  MDLC represented Louis in an informal hearing where the state again did not give the discharge summary proper weight and incorrectly found him ineligible.  MDLC then hired an expert to perform a neuropsychological evaluation to show that Louis does have a DD.  MDLC also found Louis’ staff from when he first left Rosewood, and learned more about the supports he needs and receives from his supervisor and the social worker at his place of employment.  MDLC represented Louis at an administrative hearing.  Upon receiving the neuropsychological report, speaking with MDLC’s witnesses, and learning more about the support Louis used to receive and still needs, DDA decided to withdraw their denial and issue a new decision.  DDA changed their position, not only finding that Louis does have a DD, but placing him in the highest priority category which enables him to start receiving services quickly.