Integrity vs Despair

Integrity vs Despair is a title taken from the final stage of Erik Erikson's 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development. It is a developmental stage that normally occurs when one enters their mid-sixties and begins to contemplate their life. According to the theory, while doing so, the person either achieves a sense of integrity (wholeness/self-acceptance) or falls into a state of despair. This is the story of one Wesley Tillerman who at the age of sixty, after contracting the Covid-19 virus, finds himself entering this final stage of development rather prematurely, being unable to work and unable to qualify for any meaningful financial assistance. Subsequently, after five months of joblessness, Wes and his long-time canine companion, Max, become homeless, sleeping in a tent in a park within the greater Los Angeles area, among a host of others who for various reasons have found themselves in the same situation. As his story evolves the question remains as to whether Wes will finally concede to the insatiable demands of despair, or rather with some unexpected assistance achieve a sense of integrity.