"If he had called about a skinny dog in someone’s yard

[loyalsister]

12. "This court order in Waterloo should have happened all over the country"

Indeed so. Beginning with Dorothy Dix, there have been numerous incidences of such discoveries. The fact that these are being uncovered nearly 100 years after she called attention to it is chilling.
With the Independent Living movement and then Olmstead institutionalization has been reduced. It still is a problem, however.

I have a cousin whose intellectual development was inhibited because of a high fever. To the credit of his parents he was not institutionalized (despite doctor's recommendations) and he has a satisfying life. He has a job and a girlfriend and is in his late 50s now. He has always loved the Beatles and bowling. His parents are truly great people. They helped him get his driver's license and backed him up when it came to asserting his independence.