Does anyone have sympathy for Stanley Thornton, adult baby?
Oct 21, 2011, 3:47 PM | Updated: Oct 22, 2011, 12:53 pm
30-year-old Stanley Thornton likes to act like a baby, but he did build a high chair for himself. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
Most men like to take care of themselves on their own, but 30-year-old Stanley Thornton prefers to be treated like a baby.
Ever since he was a teenager, Thornton has had the desire to drink out of a bottle, suck on a pacifier, and play with toys similar to that of a toddler.
“For me it’s about as simple as you can get,” Thornton told the Dori Monson Show on 97.3 KIRO FM. “You’re not worrying about adult stuff, you’re just trying to get the kid inside of you, out.”
Doctors say Thornton suffers from infantilism, a condition that involves role-playing in an infant-like state. The condition allows him to live off Social Security, as it is considered a disability.
While Thornton looks like an average male to the outside world, his life at home is a reflection of the abuse he suffered as a child.
“I needed a way to escape to be able to cope with what was going on,” Thornton explained.
Thornton was abused by his alcoholic father and picked on constantly in public school as a child. Though many people cope differently adjusting from a teenager to an adult, Thornton yearned to feel comforted like a baby.
“Right now I really like it, its fine with me,” Thornton said. “I imagine in the future, getting married and what-not, it will probably go off a little bit. But right now I’m definitely in to do it probably more than most.”
Thornton isn’t alone in his desire to act like a toddler. He has a friend – married with two children – that flies out to see him every year to role play as babies together.
“We just kind of had fun together doing the role-playing thing and that’s what he looked forward to as a vacation every year,” Thornton explained.
Although Thornton is unemployed and living off social security, he’s stayed active by building a crib and a high chair for himself to use. However, Thornton knows he’ll eventually have to get a real job in order to support his unusual habit.
“I loved when I was working security – it’s my favorite thing. I love working in the old folks homes and just being able to help people, and I miss that,” Thornton said.
Once Thornton chooses to start focusing on his future rather than reflecting on his past, he might be able to take care of a baby on his own.
By Michael Simeona, MyNorthwest.com Editor
