UPDATE OCTOBER 15, 2023:

We just learned that the Rights Advisor will be visiting Andrew on Monday, October 16, 2023.  We feel that Andrew will appeal the Form 3 holding him for up to 14 days.  This will mean that there will be a Consent and Capacity Board Hearing.  I expect that Andrew's doctor will call me as a witness.  The human rights lawyer will do everything in their power to put Andrew back out on the streets again.  This is insanity.  It is cruel and inhumane.  They are taking advantage of Andrew when he is very vulnerable.  Andrew does not understand that he is mentally ill.  This is going to be a life and death hearing for Andrew.  We will be flying back to Toronto for the hearing.

Andrew needs a medical transfer to P.E.I. We sure could use your support. We have reached 10,148 signatures? Please continue to sign the petition. Let's rally together and show that Ontario and Prince Edward Island residents believe that Andrew deserves a fresh start in life. Here is the link: https://chng.it/TMKMZfHH2p

The P.E.I. Marathon is being held today. We normally would drive Andrew to the starting point. He would train for months. We would travel along the route stopping to cheer him along. I had a bell and tambourine to get his attention. Andrew has run 15 P.E.I. Marathons and looks forward to meeting his friends each year.

I want to tell you about one very special P.E.I. Marathon. In September 2018 Andrew was admitted for a month to the Hillsborough Psychiatric Hospital. Andrew wanted to run in the Marathon and asked for permission for a day pass. He had no opportunity to train in the hospital other than some equipment in the gym. He was determined to run the race.

Thankfully they granted Andrew the day pass. Andrew completed the 43 km course in 3 hours and 40 minutes which was amazing. The staff at the hospital were astonished that Andrew was capable of completing the run not having his normal training preparation.

That was Andrew's 15th P.E.I. Marathon. He looked forward to the P.E.I. Marathon every year. His goal is to compete in the Boston Marathon and he did have a time that was close to qualifying. He talked to us at the hospital in Toronto about the P.E.I. Marathon. He asked if the course had changed. I know in his heart he was wishing he could participate this year!

Here is a blog written by Dr. Richard O'Reilly, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry. It is titled WHY A MAN FROM P.E.I. (ANDREW BRYENTON) IS HOMELESS ON THE STREETS OF TORONTO. This article is worth reading! I have spoken to Dr. O'Reilly several times. He has been fighting for MENTAL HEALTH REFORM for many, many years. https://dawsonross.wordpress.com/.../guest-blog-why-a.../

Dr. O'Reilly has seen and experienced the flaws in the Mental Health System. He is presently on the TEAM group which has a mandate for MENTAL HEALTH REFORM. Karen Scott Booth who assisted me with advocacy at the hospital is also a participant. This is a group of psychiatrists, police, lawyers, social workers and others who have a vested interest in MENTAL HEALTH REFORM. They meet with the Associate Minister of Health and Addictions, Hon. Michael Tibollo and his staff.

Jay, our Toronto host dropped us off at the hospital yesterday morning. Cindi prepared a beautiful breakfast. Andrew is very angry that he has been transferred to the psychiatric floor. He came to the conclusion that this time he was not going to be set free and homeless again like before. This time is a different outcome! Andrew is now on a Form 3 for up to 14 days.

Needless to say, our visit was very short with Andrew, as he told us he did not want to see us. We felt badly leaving Andrew this way. There were definitely no kisses and hugs. He is furious with us for keeping him in hospital. We realize that the days and nights are getting colder. We know in our hearts that Andrew will not survive in the winter. He refuses to go to shelters and soup kitchens.

Prior visits with Andrew provided us with a glimpse of his life on the streets. He told us about all the people that helped him. He said that he made people happy when he accepted their gift. This was most insightful of him and surprised us. He told people that he suspected his parents were doing something, as he was getting lots of help to meet his daily basic needs.

Facebook friends told us many times that they were glad that Andrew accepted their gift. However, there were many times that Andrew would politely decline food, water, money or clothing. Ontario residents were more than generous, caring and compassionate.

Andrew can see Shopper's Drug Mart from his hospital window. He said they have food items including Boost and cereal. We knew that Shopper's Drug Mart was one of his favourite places to seek help. Andrew was apprehended at Tim Horton's which was another of Andrew's favourite places to go.

 
Andrew's dream was never to be homeless on the streets of Toronto. What are they thinking? Andrew's dream was to get a University education. Get a good career in the finance field. Get married and have children. Own a home on P.E.I. Andrew got a BBA, became an Assistant Bank Manager. Got married and has a little girl and boy ages 8 and 6. They owned their home in Charlottetown. Andrew lost all of this when his serious mental illness hit.

Andrew deserves to get his life back with medication and hospitalization. The P.E.I. psychiatrist is willing to help him get back on the road to recovery. Andrew's year long journey has been filled with turmoil, heartbreak, sleepless nights, chaos and heartbreak.

We are not looking forward to the Consent and Capacity Board Hearing. But MAMA BEAR has fought too hard and too long to let a hearing scare me. I will protect Andrew with every ounce of my being. Lloyd is also prepared to provide information.

Please pray that we will be successful at the Consent and Capacity Board Hearing. Andrew is entitled to a better life and we want to make sure that happens.

In spite of the recent chaos, my song, God Will Take Care of You, continues to play in my head. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkATe23l7f8

The PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO P.EI. PETITION has 10,141 signatures from caring and compassionate Ontario and P.E.I. residents. Here is the link: https://chng.it/TMKMZfHH2p It is fast and free.

HERE IS A VIDEO GLIMPSE OF ANDREW. HE WAS MENTALLY ILL AT THE TIME BUT NOT TO THIS DEGREE.
A lady sent this video blog of Andrew to me. I was not aware the video existed. It will give you a glimpse of Andrew, when he was relatively well. It was titled, "The Best Running Shoes."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=F3GVRyhd4iE

A lady sent the following message, "It is so powerful how a loving community can move its members for an altruistic reason."

Lloyd and I thank every kind soul who reached out and  helped Andrew since January 2023. You gave him food, water, money and clothing. We received hundreds and hundreds of posts, and photos with date, time and location. You helped our son survive on the streets of Toronto. You helped give us peace of mind each and every day for the past 12 heartbreaking months.

We thank people that searched for Andrew and helped me in so many ways. We worked as a well greased machine. We were ANDREW'S ARMY OF ANGELS! How can we ever repay the people of Ontario for your kindness and love shown to our son, Andrew Bryenton?

Lloyd and I went to church this morning. Then we went to Smitty's Family Restaurant for lunch. We have been going to that restaurant for many years and we know the owners well. Donna told me that she has been following Andrew's story and was happy that he is now in hospital. We finished our beautiful hot meal and asked for our bill. The waitress, Amy, told us it was complimentary. Many thanks to Donna for caring about Andrew and thinking about us at this difficult time. We truly appreciated her generosity and kindness.