UPDATE SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
Most nights I am up in the wee hours and usually check my computer for messages. This morning I discovered an alarming post, photo and video of Andrew sleeping on a cement sidewalk at 840 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto.
It broke my heart and brought tears to my eyes to see our son and former Assistant Bank Manager subjected to this misery. Why is Andrew homeless? It makes no sense. Three psychiatrists from Humber, St. Joseph's and CAMH hospitals have determined that Andrew is NO HARM TO HIMSELF OR OTHERS.
Andrew asked to leave the hospital because he has anosognosia. The psychiatrists are well aware of this symptom which blocks Andrew's capacity to understand that he is seriously ill and needs medical attention. Human rights trump humane treatment and logic.
Andrew no longer has good judgement. That is why he went up on a highway, darted between cars, put his legs on a busy alley and crossed an intersection when the pedestrian light was not green.
He also walked from Toronto to Barrie and Toronto to Vaughan Mills in heatwaves with no sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, food or water. It is amazing that he did not get dehydrated or had sun stroke. His actions are more and more life threatening every day.
There is a provision in the Ontario Mental Health Act whereby Hon. Sylvia Jones has the right to issue a medical transfer. Thus far, Hon. Jones is missing in action.
FIRST SIGHTING SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
10:12 a.m. Crossing Bathurst and King down Bathurst. He had a coffee.
2:51 p.m. Andrew was at Yonge and Wellesley outside of Dollarama. Trying go get more details.
5:00 p.m. Andrew was at Yonge and Belmont near Rosedale Subway Station. He was walking briskly and safely and calmly. He was wearing the brown shirt and PLAID SHORTS. He was first noticed at Yonge and Davenport and then at Yonge and Belmont. He was walking north heading towards Yonge and Eglinton.
6:28 p.m. Andrew was at Dollarama at Yonge and Roehampton. He was wearing brown long sleeve shirt with beige and brown plaid shorts. Still wearing his old sneakers.
6:46 p.m. Was walking at Yonge and Broadway. He was moving slowly. She said he needed new sneakers. He was close to Yonge and Eglinton moving to east on Broadway. He looked confused. He had cereal and chips in his hand.
LAST SIGHTING SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
11:13 p.m. Andrew was at 840 St. Clair Avenue West, just east of Oakwood. Andrew was sleeping on the hard cement sidewalk A kind man gave Andrew cold water and offered food. He went back to check on Andrew. The photo and video broke my heart. This is Andrew's reality every night sleeping in the cold, wet, damp or hot weather.
I hope that Hon. Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health, sees this video and photo, as she has the provision in the Ontario Mental Health Act to grant a medical transfer! Would you want to see your son or daughter like this Hon. Sylvia Jones?
And soon, there will be snow, hail and freezing rain! Andrew will not survive on the streets of Toronto this winter! An Ontario psychiatrist must assist with a medical transfer home to P.E.I. Our son's life depends on it!
Andrew walked 10.3 km today.
We are seeking a compassionate psychiatrist that will assist our son to get a medical transfer home to P.E.I.
I want to assure everyone that the P.E.I. Government will incur the cost of the medical transfer and make all the necessary travel arrangements.
It is our belief that Andrew is exhausted, malnourished and sleep deprived. He may also have stomach and back issues. Andrew needs to be medically examined. There are many people who have experienced our heartache, turmoil and pain.
CATALYST FOR CHANGE
I have been told that Andrew's tragic story has brought much awareness to the way in which the mentally ill are treated by the psychiatrists at the hospitals. The Government has a revolving door policy and the psychiatrists must comply.
In fact, they believe Andrew's story will be the catalyst for change. There will eventually be Mental Health Reform. Politicians will sit up and take notice that the mentally ill are treated like second class citizens. They are literally thrown to the streets to fend for themselves. Stray dogs are treated better than this.
I believe something good will come out of Andrew's painful mental illness journey, perhaps helping thousands of people. Many are suffering and here is an example.
POST RECEIVED: "As someone who was supporting a family member with schizophrenia until his untimely passing, I spoke at length with the coroner, autopsy and police team who all felt that the system needs to change. While they support the rights of individuals to make their own health care choices, they also felt that the pendulum has swung too far. They want people to speak up. It is time for Andrew’s Law."
STREETS TO HOMES
I contacted Streets to Homes today in Toronto with the help of a Facebook friend. I gave Andrew's background photos and description.
I included such things as sneaker size, pant, jacket and shirt size etc. The Outreach Workers were going to start looking for Andrew today and try and give him new clothing. Andrew was wearing a pair of plaid shorts today but we discovered he was wearing these under his pants. He must have tossed is pants as they were tattered, torn and dirty. Hope they can provide him with some basic needs. I also questioned if there were showers available other than at the shelters , as Andrew will not got there.
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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. 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
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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. It seems Andrew will only accept what he feels he needs at the time and refuses to hoard.
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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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LOBBYING EFFORTS
I have been lobbying since March 2023 for a P.E.I. Missing Person's Act, with the assistance of MLA Susie Dillon. I am happy to announce that the P.E.I. Missing Person's Act became law September 9, 2023.
In addition, I am lobbying for a P.E.I. Community Treatment Order. Dr. Richard O'Reilly, psychiatrist, from London, Ontario believes the New Brunswick Community Treatment Order is the best to both assist the mentally ill and clinicians. In his opinion, it is the gold star, modern standard and should be considered. Deputy Minister, Lisa Thibeau said that she would review it.
I sent this Community Treatment Order to Premier Dennis King, Hon. Mark McLane, Minister of Health, Deputy Minister Lisa Thibeau, MLA Susie Dillon, Dr. Javier Salabarria, Medical Director Mental Health & Addictions, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island.
In addition, I am working with MP Sean Casey and former Senator, Diane Griffon, on an Advanced Medical Directive.
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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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THE PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO P.E.I. PETITION REACHED THE GOAL OF 7500 SEPTEMBER 5, 2023. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SIGN. THANK YOU.
The PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO PEI PETITION has received 7963 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 SURPASS THE GOAL OF 7500!
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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 GLOBE AND MAIL story was written by Marcus Gee and published August 25, 2023.
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 Radio Host, Mitch Cormier interviewed me on Island Morning. We discussed the newly proclaimed P.E.I. MISSING PERSON'S ACT and its relevance.
I was also interviewed on Charlottetown CBC Compass TV by host, Steve Bruce, concerning the Missing Person's Act.
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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.
September 11, 2023. My Guest Post appeared in the Marvin Ross Blog. It was titled - A Mother's Plea for Treatment for her Homeless Son.
September 12, 2023. My Guest Post, A Mother's Plea for Her Homeless Son appeared in the WELCOME TO THE NEWSLETTER ON SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES. It also included an article by Dr. David Laing Dawson. The title was, A POSSIBLE REASON WHY MENTALLY ILL AND HOMELESS ANDREW BRYENTON IS REJECTED BY HOSPITAL. It also included an anecdote to the Psychiatry Resident at CAMH.
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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.
TWITTER ASSISTANCE NEEDED
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." Please also check @M4MHCReform Thank you.
I am a MAMA BEAR and I will protect our son! Furthermore, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP TRYING TO SAVE OUR SON'S LIFE!