UPDATE OCTOBER 24, 2023:
I have endeavoured to lighten Andrew's heartbreaking posts by using analogies, music, photographs and images. I am a children's storybook author, and enjoy writing creatively. I generally write my posts around 5:30 a.m. I have a sense of peace when I write, and it helps numb the pain. Perhaps someday, I will write a storybook about Andrew's journey with mental illness.
Today, I have good and bad news. I will relay the bad news first. We received a phone call on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from Daniel Tziatis, Director of Mental Health and Addictions at Humber River Hospital, Toronto. He advised that Andrew's medical transfer to P.E.I. was DENIED. This decision was made by the P.E.I. Chief of Psychiatry, Dr. Javier Salabarria. We were told Andrew did not pass the criteria and there was no explanation.
My husband and I were in total shock! Daniel explained that Andrew would be kept at the Humber River Hospital until he reaches baseline and then would be DISCHARGED back on the streets of Toronto, with winter just around the corner. I told him that Andrew would not survive a winter on the streets as he refuses to use shelters or soup kitchen. We are back to square one!
We could not believe this was happening! We worked a whole year to finally get Andrew in the hospital on medication, and now Andrew's home province of P.E.I. was refusing the medical transfer!
MAMA BEAR was not about to give up! I wrote e-mails to Premier Dennis King, Minister of Health, Mark McLane; Deputy Minister of Health, Lisa Thibault; Dr. Javier Salabarria pleading for an approval on compassionate grounds. I asked for the reason that the medical transfer was denied.
On Monday morning, October 23, 2023 I phoned the Premier's office, Minister of Health and Dr. Javier Salabarria's offices. Later that day I received a call from Daniel Tziatis advising that both Ontario and P.E.I. APPROVED the medical transfer.
However, he advised that either Ontario or P.E.I. would have to initiate a Ministerial Order. We were well aware of this process as I had been lobbying the Ontario Government for it under Section 31 of the Ontario Mental Health Act. It permits a transfer of an involuntary patient inter-provincially. The lawyers at Humber River Hospital and P.E.I. Government are now exploring this option.
Meanwhile we are worried that Andrew will be discharged back on the streets before this process is complete. The temperature in Toronto yesterday was zero.
Andrew is making steady progress and is tolerating the medications. He stays in his room most of the time, but yesterday ventured into the lounge and watched television. We believe the medication is working and Andrew is slowing progressing.
The PLEASE BRING ANDREW BRYENTON HOME TO P.EI. PETITION has 10819 signatures from caring and compassionate Ontario and P.E.I. residents. Here is the link: https://chng.it/TMKMZfHH2p It is fast and free.
I think this song will inspire me to carry on no matter what roadblock or pothole we hit. Hope you enjoy RUN THE RACE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk9Xb7m08Bg
HERE IS A NEW VIDEO GLIMPSE OF ANDREW. HE WAS MENTALLY ILL AT THE TIME BUT NOT TO THIS DEGREE.
It is titled, WINTER RUNNING.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nay9Uaera34&t=624s
Please continue to pray that Andrew receives a medical transfer to P.E.I.
MAMA BEAR WILL NEVER GIVE UP!