UPDATE SEPTEMBER 4, 2023:
Andrew walked 32.3K from Vaughan Mills Mall to Avenue Road and Lawrence. The heat felt like 35 degrees and it was very humid.
SIGHTINGS TODAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2023
10:59 a.m. Andrew was at Bathurst and Brooke. Heading in direction of Lawrence Plaza.
11:30a.m. Andrew was at Bathurst and Eldridge. It is approximately 12 - 13 miles from Vaughan Mills where he was yesterday.
11:46 a.m. Spotted Andrew at Bathurst and Castlefield. Was standing in front of a building in the shade on Bathurst, just south of Castlefield. The lady was going to try and get him Gatorade.
12:15 p.m. Andrew is at Eglinton Ave. West and Chaplain . He was walking east near the Shopper's Drug Mart. It is 27 degrees but feels like 35. There is no breeze. It is expected to reach 40 degrees today and tomorrow. Today is Labour Day and only a few stores like Shopper's Drug Mart are open.
12:43 p.m. Andrew was walking north on Yonge Street and Eglinton. He was talking to himself. He is now at Shopper's Drug Mart. Someone gave him Cheerios and he is eating that. He refused Gatorade and sunscreen and other assistance.
2:16 p.m. Andrew was sitting on a garden ledge at 7 Bradley Avenue eating a box of Cheerios. A lady left him a bag of chips. Two other ladies are circling the block in cars trying to locate him.
3:00 p.m. Andrew was at Yonge and Roehampton on the S.E. corner. He was standing in the shade chatting to himself.
3"42 p.m. Andrew was at Eglinton and Red Path walking east to Mt. Pleasant.
4:10 p.m. Andrew was seen on the S.W. corner of Mt. Pleasant and Blythewood.
4:19 p.m. The lady who was attempting to give Andrew new pants caught up with him at Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton. He refused water and was talking to bushes. He was also waving his hands and talking to trees. He looked very hot and sunburned. He face, neck and hands are sunburned and he was sweating. He refused to walk on the lines in crosswalks due to his paranoia. All of this was caught on a dash cam as evidence for a Form 2.
4:20 p.m. Andrew was seen at Mt. Pleasant and Lawrence.
4:25 p.m. Andrew was walking on Lawrence heading towards Yonge.
4:45 p.m. Andrew was spotted on N.W. corner of Lawrence and Yonge.
5:13 p.m. Andrew was at Lawrence and Duplex.
5:29 p.m. Andrew was at Shopper's Drug Mart at Avenue Road and Lawrence N.W. corner. He was drinking a 2L carton of milk and talking to himself.
5:48 p.m. Andrew was seen on Lawrence Ave. and Ledbury St. He is headed towards Bathurst.
7:49 p.m. Andrew was at Dufferin and Wingold/Stayner which is just south of McDonald's.
There were two ladies who were searching for Andrew today. They had a large jug of orange juice, pants, top, food, water and Tim Horton's gift care. These are two perfect strangers spending time on a very hot day searching for Andrew to help because most stores are closed Labour Day. I joined them up and they were communicating by cell phone to each other. It was divide and conquer.
I believe the song, "You'll Never Walk Alone" is very fitting for our son, Andrew. and me. The photo of Jesus with a young man looks like Andrew. Our son's dream to become a Bank Manager was tossed and blown when he became mentally ill five years ago.
Andrew has suffered immensely through snow storms, cold temperatures, darkness, freezing rain, hail, high winds, torrential downpours, thunder, lighting, and heat waves.
But I believe God has walked every step of the way with Andrew over thousands of miles. He is holding our son in the palm of his hand providing protection. Andrew was a Youth Leader and Deacon at The First Baptist Church, Charlottetown, P.E.I. He was a much loved and respected Assistant Bank Manager.
Here is the link for You'll Never Walk Alone" by the Letterman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93KD2fb9EFY
ALERT
PLEASE BE ON THE LOOKOUT TODAY FOR ANDREW, AND IF YOU CAN, PLEASE PROVIDE HIM WITH WATER, GATORADE, HAT, SUNSCREEN AND SUNGLASSES. THERE IS AN IMPENDING SEVERE HEAT WAVE! PLEASE ENCOURAGE ANDREW TO SEEK A COOL PLACE TO REST.
My worst nightmare came true yesterday. Andrew walked in the heat as I predicted he would. Walking is a routine and a major part of Andrew's life. He is an elite marathon runner.
The heat warning states there is greater risk for people who are exercising outdoors. There are various effects including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, swelling, rash, cramps, and fainting.
SIGHTING YESTERDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2023
12:25 Andrew seen at Vaughan Mills Mall.
The symptom of ANOSOGNOSIA does not permit Andrew to understand that he is seriously ill. This is why he refuses medical attention as well as medication. It also causes very bad judgement like walking up the ramp next to Pearson Airport, to the 409 highway in the dark, in the pouring rain, and against the traffic. Andrew could have been hit by a car or caused a serious car accident.
REMEMBER that two Ontario psychiatrists said Andrew was NO HARM TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS and DISCHARGED HIM AFTER 72 HOURS! This is a prime example how the mental health system works. It needs to be CHANGED SOONER THAN LATER before lives are lost.
ANDREW FEEDS THE PIGEONS
For context, the BMO Dundas West and Keele, where Andrew fed the pigeons. is about a 10 minute walk south of the McDonald's where he was APPREHENDED and taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. The McDonalds where he SLEPT is where he was apprehended.
Obviously, Andrew is seeking what he considers safe places and neighbourhoods. Andrew lived in Toronto for two years prior to his marriage and worked at Invesco as a Training Specialist.
Andrew no longer has any earthly possessions, but what little food he had he shared with the pigeons. This is a glimmer of Andrew's personality shining through. This story brought tears to my eyes.
PLEASE NOTE
I have missed some sightings because the photo, date, time and location were posted on a Facebook Community Page. Please send PM to me MARLENE BRYENTON - thanks!
I think it best to offer Andrew your generous grocery item. If he politely declines, offer to leave it near Andrew and perhaps he will accept it. He has been politely turning down offers of food. It seems he will only accept what he feels he needs at the time and refuses to hoard.
It broke my heart yesterday to hear our son's voice in the McDonald's video. Andrew was politely trying to decline the $20, but the most kind and generous lady insisted that he accept it.
We have not heard our son's voice since January 2023 in Moncton, N.B., when we pleaded with Andrew to come home and he refused. There was nothing we could do. We did not know when or if we would ever see our son, Andrew again!
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MESSAGE EXCHANGE FROM A FRIEND
Marlene Bryenton
Author
You have no idea what it meant to hear Andrew politely trying to decline the $20. Our son is still there, but it will take many months to restore his health and personality!
Reply
Marlene Bryenton I thought the same thing Marlene …the same gentle spirit is still in there mired underneath the illness …but still he needs to be made right and well again, with the proper medical care and the love of his family … that gentle sound of his voice just might be the encouragement you needed to help you persevere until he makes it safely home to you and Lloyd
SIGNIFICANT UPDATE
There has been no response to my phone call to Premier Doug Ford. I sent another e-mail September 1, 2023. Hon. Sylvia Jones and Hon. Michael Tibollo have not responded to e-mail messages regarding our son, Andrew's medical transfer to P.E.I. There is no cost to Ontario taxpayers. The P.E.I. Government and Andrew's psychiatrist have offered to make all the arrangements and incur the costs that are associated with the medical transfer.
PREMIER DOUG FORD'S MESSAGE
PREMIER DOUG FORD sent me this message August 23, 2023.
"Thanks for reaching out about your son Andrew and his current health situation. I'm sorry to hear about the difficult experiences and challenges you've had to overcome.
With that said, I do appreciate your insight on this matter and take your concerns seriously. I've forwarded your email to the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health, for her information."
Thanks again for contacting me.
Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
c: The Honourable Sylvia Jones
Hon. Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health has the authority to grant a medical transfer order via a provision in the Ontario Mental Health Act.
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ADVOCACY
I have been advised to increase advocacy efforts. Please contact Premier Doug Ford at Premier@Ontario.ca 416-327 4300, I left a message. The other numbers were forwarded to this number.
Hon. Sylvia Jones Sylvia.jones@Ontario.ca 416-327-4300
Hon. Michael Tibollo michael.tibollo@ontario.ca 416-327-4300
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MEDIA COVERAGE
The GLOBE AND MAIL story was written by Marcus Gee and published August 25, 2023.
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LOBBYING EFFORTS
I am lobbying for a P.E.I. Missing Persons Act, P.E.I. Community Treatment Order and Federal Advanced Medical Directive. I have sent e-mails to MP Sean Casey, Premier Dennis King, Hon. Mark McLane, Minister of Health, MLA Susie Dillon, Dr. Javier Salabarria, Medical Director Mental Health & Addictions, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island.
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PLEASE NOTE
PLEASE DO NOT CALL ANDREW BY NAME. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT POLICE UNLESS ANDREW IS IN DISTRESS. MY PROFILE PAGE PROVIDES UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
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PETITION
The PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO PEI PETITION has received 7403 signatures so far. These are caring and compassionate residents of Ontario and Prince Edward Island. Here is the link: https://chng.it/TMKMZfHH2p It is fast and free.
Change.Org states that with 7,500 signatures, this petition is more likely to get a reaction from the decision makers. PLEASE HELP REACH THIS GOAL BY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023!
We are most thankful to the people of Ontario who are caring for our son, Andrew, by providing him with food, water, money and clothing as well as giving me daily sightings.
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MEDIA COVERAGE
The TORSTAR YORK REGION.COM story written by Kim Zarzour was published Saturday, August 26, 2023. The headline was, "GUT-WRENCHING NIGHTMARE": FROM P.E.I. TO TORONTO MOTHER SEARCHES TO HELP HER HOMELESS SON. The second part was published August 31, 2023. https://twitter.com/kimzarzour/status/1697226704505201017
Kim advised me that Andrew's story was the most read on September 1, 2023!
Charlottetown CBC reporter, Jessica Doria-Brown, contacted me and advised that she is working on Andrew's story.
A Toronto Star reporter contacted me. I hope to hear from them soon.
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MARVIN ROSS BLOG
A blog was written by Marvin Ross entitled, WHY ONTARIO'S MENTAL HEALTH ACT IS DEFICIENT - THE TALE OF A HOMELESS MAN WHO SHOULDN'T BE HOMELESS. Here is the link: https://dawsonross.wordpress.com/
Marvin submitted Andrew's story to the Hamilton Spectator, August 31, 2023. https://twitter.com/dysdads/status/1697221154971279544?s=20
Learn how Toronto has reacted with compassion to the story of Andrew the homeless PEI man with untreated mental illness compared to the sad response to people who suffer from homelessness in Hamilton.
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ANDREW'S ANGEL TEAM
I have a team of very gifted and talented individuals who are guiding, encouraging and supporting me daily. The list is extensive.
In particular, I wish to thank Maureen Trask, Advocate for Missing Persons. Maureen's son, Daniel, went missing and unfortunately was discovered deceased. Maureen facilitates a Peer Support Group for Missing Persons. I am a member of that group. Maureen also successfully lobbied for the Ontario Missing Persons Act with the assistance of MPP Catherine Fife.
Also, I wish to thank Kerry McLane, volunteer investigator with the PLEASE BRING ME HOME ORGANIZATION. Kerry helped search for Andrew in Ontario. In addition, Kerry suggested I start the PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO P.E.I. PETITION.
Joey Killorn has joined Andrew's Angel Team. He is the TWITTER KING. Joey has been sending Twitter messages. He reported the following: There have been 8992 Twitter views in one day on the Globe and Mail story.
Joey Killorn's post stated: " I have gone to Twitter on this and lobbying all sorts of people. I am @KillornJoe feel free anyone on this group St Clair West Residents Group to repost, repost and repost again the post on twitter I have put up. When you re post tag politicians, news media and anyone of relevance then please insert the #bringandrewhome2 PEI. Thankyou for all your support that you have given Marlene Bryenton and continued prayers for Andrew, thankyou and Godspeed Thats @KillornJoe X or Twitter."
ATTENTION TWITTER USERS
Would you please help tag and flag so that there is more exposure to Andrew's story. Someone told me the only reason they knew about Andrew's story was because they are in a Facebook Community Group. They suggested that more people should be helping to spread the word on Twitter.
I am a MAMA BEAR and I will protect our son! Furthermore, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP TRYING TO SAVE OUR SON'S LIFE!