In light of Wendy Williams publicly expressing her disagreement with her diagnosis, which Dr. Morrissey noted is not uncommon for patients with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) due to impaired self-awareness, there is a recommendation for her to undergo a new medical evaluation. This evaluation would include comprehensive neurological and psychological testing by a specialist in the field, as stated in court documents. FTD is a term used to describe a group of brain diseases affecting language, personality, and behavior associated with the frontal and temporal lobes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The legal filing emphasizes the importance of having qualified experts carefully reassess Williams’ capacity to make decisions in her best interest, rather than relying on speculations in the media. This development is part of an ongoing legal dispute between Dr. Morrissey and A+E Networks regarding the documentary “Where is Wendy Williams?,” where it was alleged that Williams was not capable of giving consent to be filmed.
During an interview on the “Breakfast Club,” Williams and her niece Alex Finnie disputed claims of cognitive impairment and criticized the conservatorship she was under, calling it emotional abuse. Both expressed concerns about the lack of a medical evaluation to determine if Williams’ rights could be restored and highlighted flaws in the conservatorship system.
Dr. Morrissey is now advocating for a medical evaluation to be conducted, offering to temporarily halt legal proceedings against A&E until the results are available. This move aims to benefit Williams and her estate, as it could provide financial support for her significant healthcare needs. Meanwhile, A&E and Lifetime have denied any wrongdoing in response to the legal actions brought forth by Dr. Morrissey.
Williams, in her radio appearance, hinted at a possible collaboration with Lifetime in the future, expressing her positive past experiences with the network. Despite the legal complexities surrounding the situation, the focus remains on ensuring Williams’ well-being and addressing the medical concerns at hand.
The unsealed court filings reveal that Wendy Williams allegedly “lacked capacity” when she consented to participate in the Lifetime documentary. It was disclosed that it was only after realizing that the documentary might cast doubt on the quality of her guardianship over Williams that Morrissey sought to prevent its release. The legal document claimed that the documentary series showcased how Williams’ guardianship isolated her from her family, left her alone and unattended in her apartment, worsened her self-destructive behavior and mental decline, and failed to prevent her from using or abusing alcohol. These assertions were supported by Finnie during an appearance on the “Breakfast Club,” where she mentioned the restrictions imposed by the guardianship, preventing Williams from leaving the residence, having visitors, or engaging in activities like taking a walk, going on a trip, or visiting family members.
In a recent communication, Morrissey’s legal representatives stated that they had no intention of continuing the legal dispute against A&E if a new medical evaluation confirms Williams’ ability to make decisions independently. This conditional statement suggests that if Williams is deemed capable of managing her own affairs, further legal action would not be pursued by Morrissey’s team. The development was reported by Taijuan Moorman, Charles Trepany, and Edward Segarra in an article originally published on USA TODAY following Wendy Williams’ interview on the “Breakfast Club” that led to new medical examinations being considered.
