UPDATE SEPTEMBER 25, 2023:
IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN PLEASE REFER ME TO A PSYCHIATRIST FOR ANDREW IN TORONTO? ANDREW NEEDS A MEDICAL TRANSFER TO P.E.I. THERE MUST BE SOMEONE WHO CAN ASSSIT. WE NEED A FORM ONE FOR ADMITTANCE TO A HOSPITAL. ANDREW'S P.E.I. PSYCHIATRIST WILL ASSIST WITH THE MEDICAL TRANSFER. THERE IS A WILL OF THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFER WITH THE PROVISION IN THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT.
Winter is coming. The evenings and nights are getting cool now. Andrew is not wearing a jacket and lost his toque. Please have some compassion for our son and many other homeless people. Andrew is not able to care for himself. He has been relying on the generosity of many Ontario residents for food, water, money and clothing. Thanks very much!
I want to file a Form 2 but fearful that Andrew will not be admitted to hospital. This happened recently. It seems that Andrew has to harm himself in some way or perhaps cause harm to others such as a car accident. So what do I as a parent do? Do I wait for something terrible to happen or do I process another Form 2 and hope for the best?
I am pleading with the psychiatrists to please remove Andrew from the streets before he or anyone else is hurt. Sadly, this seems to be the Mental Health Act absurd criteria for admittance.
I think the Ontario Government as well as the Canadian Government should take a lesson from California. The program 60 Minutes last evening, described how the Judges will now be permitted to issue MANDATORY MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS AND TREATMENT.
Think about all the thousands of people on the streets that could be rescued like Andrew. They could regain their dignity and their lives back. Do they not deserve this? I personally would rather see money spent on proactive intervention than housing the poor souls in shelters. Our son will not use a shelter or soup kitchen due to his paranoia.
Many thanks to everyone who is sending posts, photos and videos with date, time and location. We are coping with the situation as best we can, thanks for your thoughtfulness and kindness.
I find this song gives me some comfort, I WON'T LET GO by Rascal Flatts. It talks about coping.
Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA0YKJ0_Ivk
God can work MIRACLES. Jesus said, "There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything!" Matthew 19:26.
Please pray for a MIRACLE to happen soon!
THE PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO P.E.I. PETITION has 8219 signatures. These are Ontario and P.E.I. residents who believe that Andrew should be given a medical transfer back home to P.E.I., where he will be hospitalized by his psychiatrist.
SIGHTINGS TODAY:
5:10 p.m. Andrew was at Rexdale and Islington across from Walmart. He was talking to himself.
6:29 p.m. Andrew was at Walmart, Islington and Rexdale, in the bakery department. He was seen standing looking at the bakery items for a long time. A lady offered to buy him some food. She also offered money and he politely declined both.
LAST SIGHTING YESTERDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2023:
6:00 p.m. A lady said, "Oh my gosh. My brother suffered from mental illness and I lost him yesterday morning. My daughter asked me what happened and I told her that her uncle turned into a BUTTERFLY. Andrew was at the Shopper's Drug Mart at Kipling and Dixon. He was talking about BUTTERFLIES at the Humber River. He asked the lady for a box of Frosted Flakes. The lady said, "Thank you , Andrew for this moment!"
A lady just reached out to me and advised that there is a butterfly sanctuary at Humber River in Mimico. It is about 7km from Keele and Dundas.
Andrew walked 3.8 km today.
MEDICAL TRANSFER PROVISION
We believe that the Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones has a will to enforce the medical transfer provision, in the Ontario Mental Health Act. But first, we have to locate a psychiatrist who is willing to admit Andrew to hospital under a Form 1.
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.
Andrew is still wearing his New England Patriots long sleeve brownish sweater, blue jeans and sneakers falling apart.
CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Andrew's heartbreaking story is reaching thousands of people daily. The very public daily postings are opening the eyes of people that never realized the plight of homeless people. Not only that, the daily struggles of loved ones who are trying to care for their loved one.
Andrew's story may be the catalyst necessary to finally challenge the existing mental health system moving forward with mental health reform. The homeless suffer daily for their basic needs that most people take for granted.
Here is a sad post that I 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."
Pamela Sanderson plans to pull together a rally in front of legislature buildings across Canada to change the Mental Health Act. It is called TIME TO HEAL: UNITED THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION. There is no date set yet. Let's rally for the change that California has made!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LOBBYING EFFORTS
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO PEI PETITION has received 8219 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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
===========================================
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!
I was interviewed on CBC Radio and Television by hosts Mitch Cormier and Steve Bruce. I explained the P.E.I. Missing Person's Act and its relevance. I started lobbying for it in March 2023. Thankfully the Act was legislated September 9, 2023.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
===========================================
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 and Kerry Mclane, PLEASE BRING ME HOME volunteer investigator. Kerry suggested I launch the petition. I also wish to thank the members of TEAM who have been giving me advice and guidance. They are a group of lawyers, psychiatrists, social workers, police and parents with a vested interest. Their mandate is Mental Health Reform. They formed this group three years ago.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TWITTER ASSISTANCE NEEDED
Joey Killorn is @KillornJoe feel free anyone on this group St Clair West Residents Group. When you re post tag politicians, news media and anyone of relevance then please insert the #bringandrewhome2 PEI. Thats @KillornJoe X or Twitter." Please also check @M4MHCReform
I am a MAMA BEAR and I will protect our son! Furthermore, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP TRYING TO SAVE OUR SON'S LIFE!